them
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for them, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Pron — The objective form of "they" — used for people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old Norse þeim, borrowed into Middle English to replace the native Old English object form.
Full origin of them →Frequently asked questions
What does “them” mean?
The word “them” means the objective form of "they" — used for people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition. In plain terms, the object form of "they," used for plural people/things or for a single person of unspecified gender.
How do you pronounce “them”?
“Them” is pronounced THEHM (/ˈðʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “them” in a sentence?
Here is “them” used in a sentence: “I saw them at the market yesterday.”
What is another word for “them”?
Words with a similar meaning to “them” include dem, em, 'em and hem.
What part of speech is “them”?
“Them” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “them” come from?
The word “them” comes from Old English. From Old Norse þeim, borrowed into Middle English to replace the native Old English object form.
Is “them” a common word?
“Them” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “them” have?
“Them” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the objective form of "they" — used for people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition.
Can them refer to just one person?
Yes. "Them" is standardly used for a single person whose gender is unknown, irrelevant, or non-binary: "someone called — I'll ring them back." This singular use is accepted by major dictionaries and style guides.
What is the difference between them and they?
"They" is the subject form ("they arrived") and "them" is the object form, used after a verb or preposition ("I saw them," "with them"). If the word performs the action, use "they"; if it receives the action, use "them."
Is "them books" correct?
In standard English, no — the demonstrative is "those books." Using "them" as a determiner ("them books," "them people") is a well-known feature of some regional and informal dialects but is considered nonstandard in writing.
Is it "than them" or "than they"?
Both are defensible: "taller than them" treats "than" like a preposition and is normal in everyday English, while "taller than they (are)" treats "than" as a conjunction and sounds more formal. Adding the verb — "than they are" — is the safest choice in formal writing.