they

pronoun

ˈt͟hā 

1

: those ones : those people, animals, or things

They dance well.

What do they want to do?

They aren't as popular as they once were.

2

—used to refer to people in a general way or to a group of people who are not specified

You know what they say.

People can do what they want.

They say the trial could go on for weeks.

He's as lazy as they come.

3

a

—used with a singular indefinite pronoun antecedent

No one has to go if they don't want to.

Everyone knew where they stood …

—E. L. Doctorow

b

—used with a singular antecedent to refer to an unknown or unspecified person

An employee with a grievance can file a complaint if they need to.

The person who answered the phone said they didn't know where she was.

c

—used to refer to a single person whose gender is intentionally not revealed

A student was found with a knife and a BB gun in their backpack Monday, district spokeswoman Renee Murphy confirmed. The student, whose name has not been released, will be disciplined according to district policies, Murphy said. They also face charges from outside law enforcement, she said.

—Olivia Krauth

d

—used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary (see nonbinary sense c)

I knew certain things about … the person I was interviewing. … They had adopted their gender-neutral name a few years ago, when they began to consciously identify as nonbinary—that is, neither male nor female.

—Amy Harmon

Can they, their, theirs, them, themself, and themselves be used to refer to one person?: Usage Guide

Words like everyone, anyone, and someone are typically understood as singular, which means that logically they should be paired with a singular pronoun like him or her. However, neither of the following examples are acceptable to the modern speaker unless the person referred to is known to be male or known to be female:

Everyone should bring his own pencil.

If someone calls, tell her I'll be back soon.

His or her, him or her, and similar combinations were formerly recommended instead, but widely disliked. Fortunately, a simpler solution is available: they—and the related forms them, their, theirs, and themselves—have done the job for centuries, and are now widely accepted.

"… I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly. …"

—Jane Austen

"… it never amuses me to see anybody hurt, no matter what hurts them. …"

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

… And every one to rest themselves betake …

—William Shakespeare

It drizzled a little, shone a little, blew a little, and didn't make up its mind till it was too late for anyone else to make up theirs.

—Louisa May Alcott

I forgot all of that. I was only aware that someone had invoked their right over the body of my son.

—Ta-Nehisi Coates

Additionally, the form themself, which was all but eclipsed by themselves in the late 16th century, has recently seen an increase in use as an alternative to singular themselves.

… the unselfconscious absorption of someone working something out for themself …

—James Lewis Hoberman

They and related forms are also commonly used to refer to someone whose identity is unknown, unspecified, or intentionally not revealed, or to singular nouns that stand for any person or many persons.

The winner will have their artwork placed on display at the U.S. Capitol for the next year.

—Zach Nunn

"Do you suppose you're the only person who does what they say they're going to do?"

—Ida Alexa Ross Wylie

No man goes to battle to be killed.—But they do get killed.

—George Bernard Shaw

I do not believe there is an artist in history who hasn't asked themself—at least once—"Why do I do this?"

—Mary Gabriel

These forms are also often preferred by those whose gender identity is nonbinary.

… as a nonbinary grad student who uses they/them pronouns …

—Maddy Shred

… the Grammy-nominated singer and actor, who last year said they are nonbinary …

—Aidin Vaziri

… uses he and they pronouns and refers to themself as the governor's son …

—Eduardo Medina and Jacey Fortin

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse their, masculine plural demonstrative & personal pronoun; akin to Old English thæt that

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for they

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Video

Is singular 'they' a better choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Kids Definition

they

pronoun

(ˈ)t͟hā 

1

: those ones

they won the game

2

: some people

they say it will be a hard winter

3

a

—used to refer to a single unknown or unspecified person

b

—used to refer to a person whose gender is intentionally not revealed or whose gender identity is neither male nor female