Hers: meaning, definitions and examples

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hers

[hərz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Pronoun}

possessive form

used to refer to a thing or things belonging to or associated with a female person or animal previously mentioned

Synonyms

her own, herself.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hers	Used to indicate possession or ownership by a female, typically when the noun being possessed is clear from the context. The red bicycle is hers. I found a book and realized it was hers.
herself	Refers to the female subject of the sentence and is used for emphasis, reflexive purposes, or to indicate that the action is done alone or individually by the female. She made the cake herself. She found herself lost in the city.
her own	Emphasizes personal ownership or possession by a female, often when the uniqueness or independence of ownership is highlighted. She has her own car now. After years of living with roommates, she finally got her own apartment.

Word

Description / Examples

hers

Used to indicate possession or ownership by a female, typically when the noun being possessed is clear from the context.

The red bicycle is hers.
I found a book and realized it was hers.

herself

Refers to the female subject of the sentence and is used for emphasis, reflexive purposes, or to indicate that the action is done alone or individually by the female.

She made the cake herself.
She found herself lost in the city.

her own

Emphasizes personal ownership or possession by a female, often when the uniqueness or independence of ownership is highlighted.

She has her own car now.
After years of living with roommates, she finally got her own apartment.

Examples of usage

Those books are hers.
The red car is hers.
I think that bag is hers.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

a woman or girl

Synonyms

girl, lady, woman.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hers	This word is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership by a female person or animal. It's often used when the noun being owned was mentioned earlier or is understood from the context. This book is hers. The red car in the driveway is hers.
woman	This word is used to refer to an adult female human. It is a neutral term suitable for most contexts, whether formal or informal. The woman standing by the door is my mother. She is a strong and independent woman.
girl	This word refers to a female child or young woman, typically under the age of 18. It can be used in a casual or informal context. The girl in the red dress is my sister. When I was a little girl, I loved to play with dolls.
lady	This polite term is often used to refer to an adult woman, particularly in formal or respectful contexts. It can also be used to address a woman in a courteous way. The lady at the reception was very helpful. Please help the elderly lady cross the street.

Examples of usage

She's a real hers, always ready to help others.
He's dating a hers from his school.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'hers' originated from the Old English 'hiera', which means 'of her'.
It evolved through Middle English as 'here', reflecting the possessive nature of the word.
Possessive pronouns like 'hers' help languages indicate ownership without needing a noun.

Linguistics

'Hers' is a possessive pronoun that plays a vital role in English grammar, replacing a noun.
In English, 'hers' is used only to refer to females, making it distinct among possessive terms.
The use of 'hers' eliminates redundancy, as you don't need to repeat the object owned, e.g., 'That book is hers' instead of 'That book is her book.'

Cultural Significance

In feminist literature, the usage of 'hers' emphasizes female identity and ownership.
Popular culture often highlights 'hers' in advertisements that promote women's empowerment and individuality.
Songs and poetry often incorporate 'hers' to evoke emotions associated with love, belonging, and connection.

Psychology

Research in linguistics shows that possessive pronouns can reflect self-identity and autonomy.
'Hers' can influence interpersonal relationships by expressing attachment and connection to others.
Using terms like 'hers' in communication can impact the sender’s perception of social status and possession.

Usage in Literature

Authors often use 'hers' in prose and poetry to create emphasis on female characters and their experiences.
In children's literature, possessive pronouns, including 'hers', are essential for teaching ownership concepts.
Many classic novels contrast 'hers' with 'his' to explore gender roles and societal norms in their narratives.

Translations

Translations of the word "hers" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dela

🇮🇳 उसका (स्त्रीलिंग)

🇩🇪 ihre

🇮🇩 miliknya (perempuan)

🇺🇦 її

🇵🇱 jej

🇯🇵 彼女の (かのじょの, kanojo no)

🇫🇷 sa

🇪🇸 su

🇹🇷 onun

🇰🇷 그녀의 (geunyeoui)

🇸🇦 لها

🇨🇿 její

🇸🇰 jej

🇨🇳 她的 (tā de)

🇸🇮 njena

🇮🇸 hana

🇰🇿 оның

🇬🇪 მისი

🇦🇿 onun

🇲🇽 su

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,357 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5354 torn
5355 indictment
5356 relaxation
5357 hers
5358 subordinate
5359 medieval
5360 scarce
...