his

¹

[ hiz; unstressed iz ]

pronoun

1. the possessive form of he ¹ (used as an attributive or predicative adjective):

   His coat is the brown one. This brown coat is his. Do you mind his speaking first?

2. that or those belonging to him:

   His was the cleverest remark of all. I borrowed a tie of his.

His

²

abbreviation for

, Biochemistry.

1. histidine.

his

/ ɪz; hɪz /

determiner

1. 1. of, belonging to, or associated with him

      his knee

      his own fault

      I don't like his being out so late

   2. as pronoun

      that book is his

      his is on the left

2. his and hers
   (of paired objects) for a man and woman respectively

pronoun

1. of his
   belonging to or associated with him

Gender Note

See he ¹, me.

Word History and Origins

Origin of his¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English, genitive of hē he ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of his¹

Old English his, genitive of hē he ¹and of hit it

Example Sentences

Auctioneer Lewis Rabett said the Mercedes was bought while the man was serving with the British Army in Germany, and travelled with him during his military career in Cyprus and the Middle East.

From BBC

South Yorkshire Police said these included a man suffering lacerations to his face, neck and head after he was attacked by his dog in Sheffield.

From BBC

The president-elect has insisted cost won't be an issue, but experts have cautioned that his promises may run into enormous financial and logistics challenges.

From BBC

Süel and his colleagues focused on physiological mechanisms related to ribosomes, the micro machines within cells that play a key role in synthesizing proteins and translating genetic codes.

From Science Daily

Anthony Davis had it squirt through his usually sure hands.

From Los Angeles Times