pron
Very common
co
koh
Co (pron) means a gender-neutral pronoun used instead of "he" or "she". Example: “Co said co would arrive at noon.”
pron
1
A gender-neutral pronoun used instead of "he" or "she".
"Co said co would arrive at noon."
"Co told me co would bring the cake to the party."
"The author explained that co prefers a pronoun that is not he or she."
How to use co
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gender-neutral pronoun, an alternative to "he" or "she" used mainly in certain communities.
When to use it
Rare and mostly used in specific communal or intentional-community contexts rather than everyday English.
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_____ said co would arrive at noon.
Etymology
Coined in 1970 by the feminist writer Mary Orovan as a gender-neutral alternative to "he" and "she", later adopted by some intentional communities.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “co” mean?
The word “co” means a gender-neutral pronoun used instead of "he" or "she". In plain terms, a gender-neutral pronoun, an alternative to "he" or "she" used mainly in certain communities.
How do you pronounce “co”?
“Co” is pronounced koh (/koʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “co” in a sentence?
Here is “co” used in a sentence: “Co said co would arrive at noon.”
What part of speech is “co”?
“Co” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “co” come from?
The word “co” dates back to around 1970. Coined in 1970 by the feminist writer Mary Orovan as a gender-neutral alternative to "he" and "she", later adopted by some intentional communities.
Is “co” a common word?
“Co” is a very common word in modern English.
How is the pronoun 'co' used?
"Co" replaces "he" or "she" when gender is unknown, irrelevant, or non-binary. It works in a sentence much like other pronouns, for example, "Co said co would arrive soon." The possessive form is usually "cos," as in "Co brought cos own lunch." It keeps sentences gender-neutral without awkward rewording.
Where does the pronoun 'co' come from?
"Co" was coined in the 1970s by writer Mary Orovan and became known through its adoption in some intentional communities in the United States, where it still appears in bylaws and everyday speech. It is one of several gender-neutral pronouns created as alternatives to "he" and "she."
What is the difference between 'co' and singular 'they'?
Both avoid specifying gender. Singular "they" is far more common, widely understood, and grammatically familiar. "Co" is a purpose-built neopronoun, less widely recognised but valued for being unambiguously singular, since "they" can also be plural. The choice often comes down to a person's or community's preference.
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