theirs

American  

[thairz] / ðɛərz /

pronoun

1. a form of the possessive case of plural they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun: Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?

   It is theirs.

   Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?

2. a form of the possessive case of singular they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun.

   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I have my book—does everyone else have theirs?

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      The child couldn’t say whether or not the coat was theirs.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I've already gotten my coffee, but Morgan is still waiting to get theirs.

3. that which belongs to them.

   The Joneses don't usually flaunt their money, but theirs is the largest house on the block.

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theirs British  

/ ðɛəz /

pronoun

1. something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with them

   theirs is difficult

2. not_standard something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody

   everyone thinks theirs is best

3. belonging to or associated with them

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Usage

See they.

Etymology

Origin of theirs

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theires, thair(e)s, theres; see origin at their, -s ¹

Example Sentences

Theirs is a true dilemma, off whose horns no easy exit is apparent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

Theirs is the maddening task of identifying dozens of notable artists sending radically different messages across a range of mediums, and then trying to make the work cohere in a single exhibition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Theirs is rooted in terror, anxiety and profound stress.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025

Theirs are among 51 names on that pale grey granite cenotaph.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

Theirs is a gesture of love, surely, but also a gesture of what might be called obsessive parenting.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt