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

“Yes,” Hsiao replied, to his disappointment.

From Los Angeles Times

We are still operating under many of the trade policies Trump set during his first term.

From Los Angeles Times

Ideally, Biden would reembrace his 2020 campaign position on the economic and geopolitical harms of indiscriminate U.S. tariffs and terminate both the “national security” tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports and the “Section 301” tariffs on Chinese imports that began under Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

It would also be a credit to Biden’s legacy, at little cost to him; he can make reforms now that would be binding on his successors, but his own presidency was not limited by them.

From Los Angeles Times

He imposed his will using a transactional style of diplomacy and the muscle of American power, even when it meant defying international consensus and brushing aside Palestinian concerns.

From Los Angeles Times