he/she

American  

[hee-shee] / ˈhiˈʃi /

1. a combined form used as a singular nominative pronoun to denote someone either male or female.

   Each student may begin when he/she is ready.

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Gender

Is he gender-neutral? See he ¹.

Etymology

Origin of he/she

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Employees of executives often tell me, “Yes, my manager listens but I don’t think he/she does anything with the feedback I provide.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The indicator’s creator reported that it had a better track record predicting the U.S. stock market’s 10-year return than any of the other valuation indicators of which he/she was aware.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

If the patient only requires a small amount of the therapeutic protein, then he/she will only take a small dose of tetracycline, which will turn on the therapeutic gene only a little.

From Science Daily • Jan. 2, 2024

The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, in its opinion, concluded that a judge in that precise situation “may continue to preside in the matter provided the judge believes he/she can be fair and impartial.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2023

And not only on this problem, but on every issue he/she has taken on in the past week.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty