theirs
theh-uhz
Theirs (pron) means the thing or things belonging to them (used without a following noun). Example: “I thought this umbrella was mine, but it turns out it's theirs.”
pron
1
The thing or things belonging to them (used without a following noun).
"Theirs cost a lot more than ours."
"I thought this umbrella was mine, but it turns out it's theirs."
"This luggage is theirs. These passports are also theirs."
"That cat of theirs got into our garden again."
"This car is theirs, not ours."
"The decision was entirely theirs to make."
How to use theirs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe possessive form of "they" used on its own, without a noun right after it — compare "their car" with "the car is theirs."
Common mistake
Never write "their's" — unlike regular possessives, "theirs" takes no apostrophe.
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Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I thought this umbrella was mine, but it turns out it's _____.
Etymology
From Middle English theires, formed from "their" plus "-s," on the model of "his."
Frequently asked questions
What does “theirs” mean?
The word “theirs” means the thing or things belonging to them (used without a following noun). In plain terms, the possessive form of "they" used on its own, without a noun right after it — compare "their car" with "the car is theirs.".
How do you pronounce “theirs”?
“Theirs” is pronounced theh-uhz (/ðɛɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “theirs” in a sentence?
Here is “theirs” used in a sentence: “This car is theirs, not ours.”
What part of speech is “theirs”?
“Theirs” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “theirs” come from?
The word “theirs” comes from Middle English. From Middle English theires, formed from "their" plus "-s," on the model of "his.".
Is “theirs” a common word?
“Theirs” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'theirs' and 'their'?
'Their' is a possessive determiner and must come before a noun, as in 'their car.' 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun that stands alone in place of the noun, as in 'the car is theirs.' Use 'theirs' when the thing owned is already clear and you do not want to repeat it.
Does 'theirs' have an apostrophe?
No. 'Theirs' is never written with an apostrophe, so 'their's' is always incorrect. Like 'ours,' 'yours,' and 'hers,' it is already possessive and needs no apostrophe.
What is the difference between 'theirs' and 'there's'?
'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun meaning the thing belonging to them, as in 'that seat is theirs.' 'There's' is a contraction of 'there is' or 'there has,' as in 'there's a seat free.' They sound alike but are never interchangeable.
Can 'theirs' refer to one person?
Yes. Although 'theirs' is traditionally plural, it is now widely accepted as a singular, gender-neutral possessive, as in 'someone left theirs behind.' Used this way it avoids specifying whether the owner is male or female. This singular use is common in modern English.
