theypronoun
uk/ðeɪ/us/ðeɪ/A1 used as the subject of a verb to refer to people, animals, or things already mentioned or, more generally, to a group of people not clearly described:
I've known the Browns for a long time. They're very nice people.
Where are my glasses? They were on the table a minute ago.
They (= people who know) say things will be better in the new year.
B1 used to avoid saying "he or she":
"There's someone on the phone for you." "What do they want?"
More examples
- My parents live down in Florida, but they come up to Chicago every summer.
- "Thank you for the flowers." "It's all right. I thought they might cheer you up."
- An ambulance crew was called to his home, but he was dead by the time they arrived.
- Most children in the UK remain in full-time education until they are at least 16 years old.
- Oil and water don't mix. Even if you shake them together they separate into two layers.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: personal pronouns
- 'em
- he
- her
- it
- me
- moi
- number one
- personally
- s
- s/he
- she
- thee
- them
- themself
- thou
- us
- you
- yours
- yours truly idiom
- yous
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