they

\ˈt͟hā

Definition of they

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : those ones —used as third person pronoun serving as the plural of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more individuals not all of the same sex they dance well

b : he entry 1 sense 2 —often used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent everyone knew where they stood— E. L. Doctorownobody has to go to school if they don't want to — N. Y. Times

2 : people sense 2 —used in a generic sense as lazy as they come

the Y

noun

Definition of the Y (Entry 2 of 2)

US, informal

: the YMCA (an international organization originally for young men that provides social programs, a place for athletic activities, etc., for the people in a community) or the YWCA (a similar international organization for the people and especially the women in a community) also : the building owned and operated by the YMCA or the YWCA I'm going to the Y after work tonight.

Can they, their, them, and themselves be used as singular pronouns?: Usage Guide

Pronoun, plural in construction

They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (such as everyone, anyone, someone). Writers and speakers have supplied this lack by using the plural pronouns. and every one to rest themselves betake — William Shakespeare I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly — Jane Austen it is too hideous for anyone in their senses to buy — W. H. Auden The plural pronouns have also been put to use as pronouns of indefinite number to refer to singular nouns that stand for many persons. 'tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear the speech — William Shakespeare a person can't help their birth — W. M. Thackeray no man goes to battle to be killed. — But they do get killed — G. B. Shaw The use of they, their, them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even in literary and formal contexts. This gives you the option of using the plural pronouns where you think they sound best, and of using the singular pronouns (such as he, she, he or she, and their inflected forms) where you think they sound best.