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Theirs Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
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theirs

[รฐษ›rz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Pronoun

possessive pronoun

used to refer to something that belongs to or is associated with a group of people or animals previously mentioned or easily identified.

Synonyms

their, theirselves.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
theirs

Used similarly to the other 'theirs,' indicating ownership or connection, but typically found at the end of a sentence for emphasis or to avoid repetition.

  • These bags are ours, and those are theirs.
  • My ideas are different from theirs.
theirselves

A nonstandard or dialectal form of 'themselves,' typically used informally and sometimes perceived as incorrect.

  • They managed to do it theirselves.
their

Indicates that something belongs to or is connected with people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.

  • Their house is very big.
  • I met their parents yesterday.

Examples of usage

  • The house was theirs, not mine.
  • I don't like that book, but theirs is really interesting.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Grammar

  • 'Theirs' functions as a possessive pronoun and doesn't require an accompanying noun, unlike 'my' or 'your'.
  • This word is gender-neutral, applicable to a group of people or just one individual.
  • 'Theirs' helps avoid repetitive phrases, making sentences clearer, such as 'That book is theirs' instead of 'That book is their book'.

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, the concept of possession and ownership is often associated with individual identity, and words like 'theirs' reflect social dynamics.
  • Different languages express possession in various ways, showing the unique linguistic approaches to belonging in societies.
  • The use of 'theirs' fosters inclusivity in language, as it removes need for gendered possession, aligning with modern views on identity.

Psychology

  • Language, including words like 'theirs', influences how people perceive ownership and belonging, impacting relationships.
  • The ability to delineate ownership through pronouns reflects cognitive development in understanding self vs. others.
  • Possessive language can affect peopleโ€™s feelings of security and connection, illustrating the emotional weight behind ownership.

Literature

  • 'Theirs' is often used in poetry to create a sense of community or shared experience, highlighting collective ownership of ideas.
  • In narratives, possessive pronouns assist in defining character relationships and can indicate conflicts over belongings.
  • Writers creatively deploy 'theirs' to evoke emotions related to loss and belonging, illustrating deeper themes.

Origin of 'theirs'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Theirs' originates from Middle English 'theirs' and reflects the possessive form of 'they'.
  • The concept of possession in English shifted over time, leading to the use of 'theirs' as a distinct pronoun.
  • 'Theirs' was formed by adding the possessive suffix to the pronoun 'they', illustrating how language evolves in expressing ownership.

The word 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun that originated from Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'hira', meaning 'of them'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form and usage in modern English.

See also: their.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,944 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.