they
they Lexical Profile
they Game Scores & Validity
• pronoun
Used as the subject of a verb to refer to two or more people, animals, or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
"The students finished their exams early, and they went to the library together."
Used to refer to a single person of unspecified gender, or to a specific person whose gender identity is nonbinary or who uses gender-neutral pronouns.
"If any applicant has a question about the form, they should contact the admissions office."
Used to refer to people in general, or to an unnamed group of people in authority.
"They say that regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for longevity."
Word Nuance & Usage
Even when referring to a single person ('singular they'), 'they' always takes a plural verb form (e.g., 'they are' rather than 'they is').
• Rhymes for they
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old Norse 'þeir' (masculine nominative plural demonstrative pronoun), gradually replacing the native Old English third-person plural pronoun 'hīe'.