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

Mahama's parents were able to invest in a diesel generator for their six-bedroom house, meaning theirs was the only house in the town with lights.

From BBC

So far, Mitchell said, 1,170 of those votes have been counted through a process known as “curing,” in which voters can correct the error and attest to elections officials that the flawed ballot is really theirs.

From Los Angeles Times

Rasha’s family of six moved to another house in the centre of town after theirs became uninhabitable.

From BBC

And now the man who helped introduce Taylor Swift to the world believes country is ready to fall in love with these four sisters after decades of voices like theirs being ignored.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the protesters held placards that read: “Our hands are stained with mud. Theirs are stained with blood.”

From BBC