we
Americanpronoun
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us,
objective
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our,
possessive
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ours
possessive
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nominative plural of I.
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(used to denote oneself and another or others).
We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.
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(used to denote people in general).
the marvels of science that we take for granted.
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(used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer).
We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(used in the predicate following a copulative verb).
It is we who should thank you.
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(used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis).
We Americans are a sturdy lot.
pronoun
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refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people
we should go now
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refers to all people or people in general
the planet on which we live
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when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1
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( as noun )
he uses the royal we in his pompous moods
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informal used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm
how are we today?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of we
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“There was nothing here when we started,” she said of the compound, which was initially just a single house.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
"We are kind of like Faber, we wouldn't feel comfortable selling a book where the author isn't getting the royalties," Kerr said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
“Others said we were ruining some common heritage of humankind.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
"The doctors are encouraged by his progress, he is awake and alert, and we are optimistic he will make a full recovery," his team said.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
“I’m gonna go check on dinner,” Arlo says, escaping to the kitchen before we can say anything.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
“One of the things I’ve loved most about this home is the opportunity it has given us to gather people together,” Holliday shared in a statement to Mansion Global.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
"Last year, there were tourists who were taking pictures of us, which was uncomfortable," she added.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
"They require complex surgery involving different specialists and now Da Vinci lets us do that," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Humans’ ability to feel pain and pleasure allows us to make progress and expand rights through abolitionist struggles, and to expand our moral circle to other biological species such as animal based on their suffering.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
She tells us we have school and we need to get going.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
“This supports our view heading into October that back-end yields were likely approaching a peak, and that the equal weight S&P was the more attractive expression of the broadening trade.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
"I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors...I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention."
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
“The open road is a very, very important part of our culture, which means we do not want to take away any of that experience.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
It reflects the anthropomorphic tendencies in our science fiction and commentary.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
“You and I made the journey together. Just like the trek you made with Grandpa. We did it together—it’s our land together.”
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
"This study highlights why it's so important for a molecular technology development lab like ours to keep looking to nature for inspiration," Shipman says.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
Investors need to actively protect ours, Jacob Bornstein and David Tenen write.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
But “the $100 level is ours for awhile,” he said — regardless of any new attacks, and maybe even for some time after hostilities ease.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The shame in this story was never his, and it was never ours.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026
“He is no burglar. Simon is a friend of ours from London. And a very talented playwright, too,” she added.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
