their

[ thair; unstressed ther ]

pronoun

1. a form of the possessive case of plural they used as an attributive adjective, before a noun:

   their home;

   their rights as citizens;

   their departure for Rome.

2. a form of the possessive case of singular they used as an attributive adjective, before a noun:
   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context): A parent should read to their child.

      Someone left their book on the table.

      A parent should read to their child.

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

      I’m glad my teacher last year had high expectations for their students.

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

      My cousin Sam is bad at math, but their other grades are good.

their

/ ðɛə /

determiner

1. of, belonging to, or associated in some way with them

   their own clothes

   she tried to combat their mocking her

   their finest hour

2. belonging to or associated in some way with people in general not including the speaker or people addressed

   in many countries they wash their clothes in the river

3. belonging to or associated in some way with an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone should bring their own lunch

Usage

See they

Grammar Note

See he ¹, me, they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of their¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English their(e), ther(e), from Old Norse theirra “their”; replacing Old English thāra, thǣra; they

Word History and Origins

Origin of their¹

C12: from Old Norse theira (genitive plural); see they , them

Example Sentences

"Abortion funds are committed no matter what, to ensure that people still have access to the abortion care that they want and need on their own terms,"

From Salon

In 2024, the National Abortion Federation and Planned Parenthood’s Justice Fund had to cut their budgets from giving 50 percent assistance to people to 30 percent with no exceptions.

From Salon

This time around, as they have before, they will rely on their community and network of supporters.

From Salon

“Abortion funds are committed no matter what, to ensure that people still have access to the abortion care that they want and need on their own terms,” Njoku said.

From Salon

“Hope Clinic in Granite City, Iliinois, just across the river from St. Louis, continues to see the vast majority of their patients traveling from out of state, most of them from Missouri,” Shariyf said.

From Salon