them

[ them; unstressed thuhm, uhm ]

pronoun

1. the objective case of plural they, used as a direct or indirect object:

   We saw them yesterday. I gave them the books.

2. Informal. (used instead of the pronoun they in the predicate after the verb to be ): No, that isn’t them.

   It's them, across the street.

   No, that isn’t them.

3. Informal. (used instead of the pronoun their before a gerund):

   The boys' parents objected to them hiking without adult supervision.

4. the objective case of singular they, used as a direct or indirect object:
   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context): If an officer were to ask you that question directly, you would have to answer them honestly.

      If you know anyone looking for a job, tell them to contact me.

      If an officer were to ask you that question directly, you would have to answer them honestly.

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

      I can’t believe your ex took your cat with them when they moved out.

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

      Randi’s on vacation, so you can’t see them until next week.

adjective

1. Nonstandard. those:

   He don't want them books.

them

/ ðəm; ðɛm /

pronoun

1. objective refers to things or people other than the speaker or people addressed

   what happened to them?

   I'll kill them

2. a dialect word for themselves

   they got them a new vice president

determiner

1. a nonstandard word for those

   three of them oranges

Usage

See me 1 they

Grammar Note

See he ¹, me, they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of them¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theim, theym, from Old Norse theim “them” (dative); replacing Middle English tham(e), Old English thǣm, thām; they

Word History and Origins

Origin of them¹

Old English thǣm, influenced by Old Norse theim; related to Old Frisian thām, Old Saxon, Old High German thēm, Old Norse theimr, Gothic thaim

Example Sentences

In addition to helping to advance HIV cure research in Cameroon, this collaboration also provided an opportunity for lead author Chantal Emade Nkwelle to travel from Cameroon to work at Wistar for five months, learn many of Wistar's laboratory techniques on HIV research, and transfer them back to the University of Buea.

From Science Daily

Neither promoter Goldenvoice nor representatives for each artist responded to requests for comment on the bill, but outlets including Rolling Stone have cited them as likely or confirmed performers.

From Los Angeles Times

In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she was working to fix them.

From Los Angeles Times

"I would expect them to be surgical in nature," says Brandon Daniels, CEO at Exiger, a risk and compliance firm specializing in areas such as supply chains.

From Salon

Related Words

• us
• you