third person

noun

1
a
: a set of linguistic forms (such as verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring to one that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which they occur nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed
"they" is a pronoun of the third person
b
: a linguistic form belonging to such a set
c
: reference of a linguistic form to one that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which it occurs nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed
referred to himself in the third person
2
: a style of discourse marked by general use of verbs and pronouns of the third person
the story was written in the third person

Examples of third person in a Sentence

a story written in the third person

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of third person was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near third person

Cite this Entry

“Third person.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20person. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

third person

noun
1
: a set of words or forms (as verb forms or pronouns) referring to someone or something that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which they occur nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed
also : a word or form belonging to such a set
2
: a writing style using verbs and pronouns of the third person
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