you-all

[ yoo-awl, yoo-awl, yawl ]

pronoun

, Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. you (used in direct address to two or more people):

   You-all come back now, hear?

   Tell your mother it's time you-all came to visit us.

you-all

pronoun

1. a US, esp Southern, word for you, used esp when addressing more than one person

Usage Note

See you, y'all.

Word History and Origins

Origin of you-all¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; you ( def ) + all ( def )

Example Sentences

“I do this work because my mom has been extremely vulnerable to being displaced. I, myself, am extremely vulnerable to being displaced. That drives me. It’s not charity; it’s not me coming down from on high to talk to ye little people. I’m a little person. It’s not a you-all problem; it’s an us problem.”

From Washington Post

“People my age don’t have the disposable income for a guided trip, and people much older than you-all usually won’t take it on,” although the company has guided kids as young as 9 and adults in their late 70s on the White Rim.

From Washington Post

He imitated Libby’s southern accent, called her Honey Chile and You-All, and outdid himself telling stories and jokes.

From Literature

“Did you-all get rid of Jermaine’s bed?”

From Literature

Robinson replied, “You-all the ones that made me a killer.”

From Washington Times