theirs

[ thairz ]

pronoun

1. a form of the possessive case of plural they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun: Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?

   It is theirs.

   Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?

2. a form of the possessive case of singular they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun:
   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      I have my book—does everyone else have theirs?

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      The child couldn’t say whether or not the coat was theirs.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

      I've already gotten my coffee, but Morgan is still waiting to get theirs.

3. that which belongs to them:

   The Joneses don't usually flaunt their money, but theirs is the largest house on the block.

theirs

/ ðɛəz /

pronoun

1. something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with them

   theirs is difficult

2. not_standard.
   something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone thinks theirs is best

3. of theirs
   belonging to or associated with them

Usage Note

See they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of theirs¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theires, thair(e)s, theres; their, -s ¹

Example Sentences

Dr Shpak did not want to name her sources in Russia for their own safety but said she had been told that when the beluga surfaced in Norway, the Russian marine mammal community immediately identified it as one of theirs.

From BBC

The problem he faces is that pretty much all of his predecessors broke theirs.

From BBC

A franchise known for unraveling late in games has made the second half theirs.

From Los Angeles Times

When the BBC visited, there was no sign of Atlas Biomed itself, but a company registration firm based in the building confirmed that it was a client of theirs, and legitimately used the address as its own.

From BBC

His last Sporting home game, after four and a half years helping transform the club, pitted against a Manchester City side which cast a decade-long shadow over his new Manchester United team by virtue of the total domination that was once theirs.

From BBC