pronoun
Uncommon
ze
zee
Ze (pronoun) means a gender-neutral third-person singular pronoun, used as an alternative to "he," "she," or singular "they.". Example: “Ze picked up ze's bag and left.”
pronoun
1
A gender-neutral third-person singular pronoun, used as an alternative to "he," "she," or singular "they."
"Ze picked up ze's bag and left."
How to use ze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pronoun some people use instead of he/she to avoid specifying gender.
When to use it
Used mainly within nonbinary and gender-inclusive communities; not yet standard outside that context.
Easily confused with
xe
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Word forms
- Plural
- zes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ picked up ze's bag and left.
Etymology
Possibly influenced by the Dutch pronoun zij; coined in English as one of several proposed gender-neutral pronoun systems.
Frequently asked questions
What does “ze” mean?
The word “ze” means a gender-neutral third-person singular pronoun, used as an alternative to "he," "she," or singular "they.". In plain terms, a pronoun some people use instead of he/she to avoid specifying gender.
How do you pronounce “ze”?
“Ze” is pronounced zee (/ziː/ in IPA).
How do you use “ze” in a sentence?
Here is “ze” used in a sentence: “Ze picked up ze's bag and left.”
What part of speech is “ze”?
“Ze” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “ze” come from?
The word “ze” comes from Dutch. Possibly influenced by the Dutch pronoun zij; coined in English as one of several proposed gender-neutral pronoun systems.
Is “ze” a common word?
“Ze” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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