He Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👨

Add to dictionary

[hiː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Pronoun}

subject pronoun

Used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified. Can also be used to refer to a person or animal of unspecified gender.

Synonyms

him, male animal, male person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
he	Used as a pronoun to refer to a male person or animal. It's formal and appropriate for both written and spoken language. He went to the store He is very kind
male person	Used when specifically referring to a human being who is male. It's used in situations where gender needs to be specified or emphasized. The applicant must be a male person They are looking for a male person to join their team
male animal	Used when specifically referring to an animal of the male sex. It's commonly used in scientific contexts or situations where gender needs to be specified. The male lion is larger than the female This is a male dog
him	Used as an object pronoun to refer to a male person or animal. It follows verbs and prepositions. I saw him at the park Give the book to him

Examples of usage

He is a doctor.
He loves to play football.
She and he are good friends.
It is a beautiful day.
They told him the news.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

abbreviation

Abbreviation for high explosive, used to refer to powerful explosives.

Synonyms

high explosive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
he	This is the same pronoun as 'he', but capitalized. It is used at the beginning of sentences or in writing where proper capitalization is required. He is a very talented musician. After the meeting, he decided to take a walk.
high explosive	Typically used in military or technical contexts to describe a type of explosive that has a very powerful and rapid reaction. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or emotion that is very intense or volatile. It generally has a technical or serious connotation. The bomb squad carefully handled the high explosive. Their argument was like a high explosive waiting to go off.

Word

Description / Examples

This is the same pronoun as 'he', but capitalized. It is used at the beginning of sentences or in writing where proper capitalization is required.

He is a very talented musician.
After the meeting, he decided to take a walk.

high explosive

Typically used in military or technical contexts to describe a type of explosive that has a very powerful and rapid reaction. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or emotion that is very intense or volatile. It generally has a technical or serious connotation.

The bomb squad carefully handled the high explosive.
Their argument was like a high explosive waiting to go off.

Examples of usage

The soldiers used HE to destroy the enemy's bunker.
The HE detonated with a loud bang.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sociolinguistics

'He' is a primary pronoun used to refer to men or boys, playing a significant role in discussions about gender and language.
Traditional use of 'he' as a generic pronoun has been challenged in contemporary discussions about gender inclusivity.
In some languages, the use of male pronouns ('he') when speaking universally can reflect societal biases.

Pop Culture

Many popular fictional characters, such as superheroes and famous male figures, are often referred to using 'he,' reinforcing gender norms.
The phrase 'he said' is a common dialogue starter in countless stories and texts, reflecting male perspectives in literature.
Music and films often embody male characters with themes of heroism, emphasizing the pronoun 'he' in lyrics and scripts.

Education

In learning contexts, educators emphasize understanding gender pronouns, highlighting the importance of using 'he' appropriately.
Grammar lessons often focus on how 'he' functions as a subject in sentences, aiding in sentence structure education.
Understanding the use of 'he' in literature helps students analyze character perspectives and gender representation.

Psychology

Research in psychology shows that language shapes our perception of gender, influencing how 'he' and other pronouns affect our views.
'He' can evoke different emotional responses depending on cultural and societal contexts, influencing interpersonal communications.
Studies reveal that children as young as 5 are aware of gender pronouns, developing early concepts of gender identity.

Origin of 'he'

Main points about word origin

The word 'he' comes from the Old English 'hē,' which has its roots in Germanic languages.
In many ancient languages, such as Latin and Greek, gendered pronouns like 'he' indicated male subjects, a system that influenced English.
The use of 'he' as a pronoun can be traced back to text as early as the 8th century.

The word 'he' originated from Old English 'hē', which is of Germanic origin. It has been used in the English language for centuries to refer to a male person or animal. Over time, it has become a common pronoun in everyday speech and writing, as well as an abbreviation for high explosive in military contexts.