Pronoun: meaning, definitions and examples

👥

Add to dictionary

pronoun

[ˈprəʊnaʊn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

grammar

A pronoun is a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g. I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g. she, it, this).

Synonyms

replacement word, substitute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pronoun	Also used in the context of gender and identity to address someone's chosen pronouns like he, she, or they. 'Alex goes by the pronouns they/them '
replacement word	Commonly used in casual language to refer to any word that substitutes another word to avoid repetition. 'Instead of using 'difficult' again, you might use a replacement word like 'challenging' '
substitute	Often used in general contexts to refer to any alternative option, not limited to words. 'If you don't have sugar, you can use honey as a substitute '

Word

Description / Examples

pronoun

Also used in the context of gender and identity to address someone's chosen pronouns like he, she, or they.

'Alex goes by the pronouns they/them
'

replacement word

Commonly used in casual language to refer to any word that substitutes another word to avoid repetition.

'Instead of using 'difficult' again, you might use a replacement word like 'challenging'
'

substitute

Often used in general contexts to refer to any alternative option, not limited to words.

'If you don't have sugar, you can use honey as a substitute
'

Examples of usage

He
she
it
they
this

^{Context #2 | Noun}

language

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence. It is used to avoid repetition of the noun and make the sentence less cumbersome.

Synonyms

placeholder, substitute word.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pronoun	Used to replace nouns in sentences to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. She is going to the store. They have finished their homework.
substitute word	A word used in place of another, usually to avoid repetition or when the specific word is unknown. Can be considered similar to a pronoun but broader in usage. 'Thing' can be used as a substitute word when you can't remember the specific item. In storytelling, 'hero' is often a substitute word for the main character.
placeholder	A symbol or character used temporarily to mark a spot that will be filled in later, often used in programming or templates. In the equation 4 + x = 10, 'x' is the placeholder. This draft uses 'NAME' as a placeholder for the recipient.

Word

Description / Examples

pronoun

Used to replace nouns in sentences to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer.

She is going to the store.
They have finished their homework.

substitute word

A word used in place of another, usually to avoid repetition or when the specific word is unknown. Can be considered similar to a pronoun but broader in usage.

'Thing' can be used as a substitute word when you can't remember the specific item.
In storytelling, 'hero' is often a substitute word for the main character.

placeholder

A symbol or character used temporarily to mark a spot that will be filled in later, often used in programming or templates.

In the equation 4 + x = 10, 'x' is the placeholder.
This draft uses 'NAME' as a placeholder for the recipient.

Examples of usage

Instead of saying 'John is a teacher. John is very smart.', we can use 'John is a teacher. He is very smart.'

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin root 'pro,' meaning 'for,' and 'nomen,' meaning 'name,' indicating it represents a name.
The term 'pronoun' was first used in the beginnings of the 14th century, showcasing its long-standing role in language.
In early grammar books, pronouns were not as clearly defined as they are today, evolving significantly over time.

Linguistics

Pronouns help simplify sentences, making them easier to read and understand by reducing repetition.
There are several types of pronouns, including personal (I, you, he), possessive (mine, yours), and reflexive (myself, yourself).
Languages vary in their use of pronouns; for instance, some languages have gendered pronouns, while others use non-gendered forms.

Cultural Significance

In recent years, the awareness of gender-neutral pronouns has risen, prompting a shift towards inclusivity in language.
Different cultures may emphasize the importance of pronouns differently, influencing how respect and formality are expressed.
Some languages, like Japanese, use pronouns less frequently, instead relying on names or titles to convey meaning and respect.

Education

Pronouns are typically taught early in language education, as they are fundamental to sentence structure.
Effective teaching of pronouns often includes games and activities that make learning fun and interactive for students.
Understanding pronouns is essential for developing strong writing skills, as they help create clarity and fluidity in text.

Psychology

Studies show that the use of pronouns can impact social interactions, as they relate to identity and belonging.
Pronouns can reveal self-concept; for example, using 'we' creates a sense of group identity, while 'I' emphasizes individualism.
Research indicates that how people use pronouns can reflect their emotional states and social relationships.

Translations

Translations of the word "pronoun" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pronome

🇮🇳 सर्वनाम

🇩🇪 Pronomen

🇮🇩 kata ganti

🇺🇦 займенник

🇵🇱 zaimek

🇯🇵 代名詞 (だいめいし)

🇫🇷 pronom

🇪🇸 pronombre

🇹🇷 zamir

🇰🇷 대명사 (daemyeongsa)

🇸🇦 ضمير

🇨🇿 zájmeno

🇸🇰 zámeno

🇨🇳 代词 (dàicí)

🇸🇮 zaimek

🇮🇸 fornafn

🇰🇿 есімдік

🇬🇪 ნაცვალსახელი

🇦🇿 əvəzlik

🇲🇽 pronombre

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,173, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11170 genetically
11171 malt
11172 keenly
11173 pronoun
11174 stains
11175 progeny
11176 planetary
...