they
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for they, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Pron — Used to refer to a group of people or things already mentioned.
We haven't recorded synonyms for they yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use they
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Old Norse their, the plural of a demonstrative meaning "those"; it replaced native forms that had become confused with "he".
Full origin of they →Frequently asked questions
What does “they” mean?
The word “they” means used to refer to a group of people or things already mentioned. In plain terms, the word for a group of people/things, and also the standard gender-neutral pronoun for one person.
How do you pronounce “they”?
“They” is pronounced THAY (/ˈðeɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “they” in a sentence?
Here is “they” used in a sentence: “The students finished their exams; they left the hall quietly.”
What part of speech is “they”?
“They” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “they” come from?
The word “they” comes from Middle English. Borrowed into Middle English from Old Norse their, the plural of a demonstrative meaning "those"; it replaced native forms that had become confused with "he".
Is “they” a common word?
“They” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “they” have?
“They” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to refer to a group of people or things already mentioned.
Can "they" refer to just one person?
Yes. Singular "they" is used for a person whose gender is unknown, unspecified, or non-binary, as in "Someone left their umbrella; they can collect it later." Major dictionaries and style guides accept this use.
Do you say "they is" or "they are" for one person?
Even when "they" refers to a single person, it takes plural verb forms: "they are," "they were," "they have." This mirrors "you," which also takes plural verbs whether it refers to one person or many.
What is the difference between "they", "them", and "their"?
"They" is the subject form ("they arrived"), "them" is the object form ("I called them"), and "their" is the possessive ("their house"). All three can refer to a group or, in modern usage, to a single person of unspecified gender.
What is the difference between "they're", "their", and "there"?
"They're" is a contraction of "they are," "their" shows possession, and "there" refers to a place or introduces a clause such as "there is." A quick check: if you can expand the word to "they are," the correct spelling is "they're".