we

[ wee ]

plural pronoun

objective: uspossessive: our or ours

1. nominative plural of I.
2. (used to denote oneself and another or others):

   We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.

3. (used to denote people in general):

   the marvels of science that we take for granted.

4. (used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer):

   We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.

5. Also called the royal we. (used by a sovereign, or by other high officials and dignitaries, in place of I in formal speech):

   We do not wear this crown without humility.

6. Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the too personal or specific I or to represent a collective viewpoint):

   As for this column, we will have nothing to do with shady politicians.

7. you (used familiarly, often with mild condescension or sarcasm, as in addressing a child, a patient, etc.):

   We know that's naughty, don't we? It's time we took our medicine.

8. (used in the predicate following a copulative verb):

   It is we who should thank you.

9. (used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis):

   We Americans are a sturdy lot.

we

/ wiː /

pronoun

1. refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people

   we should go now

2. refers to all people or people in general

   the planet on which we live

3. 1. when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1
   2. ( as noun )

      he uses the royal we in his pompous moods

4. informal.
   used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm

   how are we today?

Word History and Origins

Origin of we¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis

Word History and Origins

Origin of we¹

Old English wē, related to Old Saxon wī, Old High German wir, Old Norse vēr, Danish, Swedish vi, Sanskrit vayam

Example Sentences

“I think we all have love for it,” Powell said.

From Los Angeles Times

"But those are just the ones that know about us and are able to pay the price, because these cases can take up to six months to sort."

From BBC

"There are systems to take care of the deceased all over the world, but the situation we have is that our Senedd, where health has been devolved, is accountable to another parliament for this matter."

From BBC

The third time in our history of what we have just done and we have to build on that.

From BBC

MrBeast, with more than 385 million subscribers, said the event "definitely isn't the experience we hoped they'd deliver" and promised to make it up by inviting everyone affected to his studio.

From BBC

Related Words

• they
• you