rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytheyPeople, animals, or things referred to
pronoun

they

THAY/ðeɪ/

One or more people, animals, or things being referred to.

The teacher indicates three students by the door; they stand together.

After a teacher points out three students by the door, another student gestures back toward the same group as the people already indicated.
Etymology
theyOld Norsethose; they (masculine plural)

The Scandinavian ancestor originally pointed to a masculine group, like “those.” English made it a general plural pronoun for referring back to people, animals, or things already mentioned.

In context

Timothy Ihrig11:23
They needed fewer hospitalizations.
What we can do to die well | Timothy Ihrig
Zineb Sqalli5:52
They have already initiated multiple projects,
Climate Action’s Hidden Opportunities for Women | Zineb Sqalli | TED

More examples

  • The guests left their coats; can they collect them?
  • The birds return when they are hungry.
  • They said the road was closed.

Forms

they · them · their · theirs · themself · themselves