we

[wee]

pronoun

possessive

our, ours ,

objective

us .

1. nominative plural of I.

2. (used to denote oneself and another or others).

   We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.

3. (used to denote people in general).

   the marvels of science that we take for granted.

4. (used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer).

   We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.

5. Also called the royal we. (used by a sovereign, or by other high officials and dignitaries, in place of I in formal speech).

   We do not wear this crown without humility.

6. Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the too personal or specific I or to represent a collective viewpoint).

   As for this column, we will have nothing to do with shady politicians.

7. you (used familiarly, often with mild condescension or sarcasm, as in addressing a child, a patient, etc.).

   We know that's naughty, don't we? It's time we took our medicine.

8. (used in the predicate following a copulative verb).

   It is we who should thank you.

9. (used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis).

   We Americans are a sturdy lot.

we

/ wiː /

pronoun

1. refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people

   we should go now

2. refers to all people or people in general

   the planet on which we live

3. 1. when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1

   2. ( as noun )

      he uses the royal we in his pompous moods

4. informal,  used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm

   how are we today?

Word History and Origins

Origin of we¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis

Word History and Origins

Origin of we¹

Old English wē, related to Old Saxon wī, Old High German wir, Old Norse vēr, Danish, Swedish vi, Sanskrit vayam

Example Sentences

"It's a small change per hour, but when screen time accumulates to three, five or even six hours a day, as we saw in many adolescents, that adds up," he said.

Read more on Science Daily

To briefly summarize Lilla’s most recent foray into our current national predicament, he argues emphatically that Trumpism is not conservatism, and is also not fascism.

Read more on Salon

"So it all built out of that. We used to sing, that's what brought us together, but also helped us through hard times."

Read more on BBC

"We weren't able to withstand the pressure and we weren't able to navigate our way through," he said.

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In his nightly address, the Ukrainian president said: "Pokrovsk is our priority. We continue to destroy the occupier, and that is what matters most... They must be halted where they have reached - and destroyed there."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• they 
• you