her

[ hur; unstressed her, er ]

/ hɜr; unstressed hər, ər /

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pronoun

the objective case of she: We saw her this morning. Give this book to her.

the possessive case of she (used as an attributive adjective): Her coat is the one on the chair. I'm sorry about her leaving.Compare hers.

the dative case of she: I gave her the book.

Informal. (used instead of the pronoun she in the predicate after the verb to be): It's her. It isn't her.

noun

Slang. a female: Is the new baby a her or a him?

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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

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Origin of her

before 900; Middle English her(e), Old English hire, genitive and dative of hēo she (feminine of hēhe¹)

usage note for her

See he¹, me.

Other definitions for her (2 of 2)

her.

abbreviation

heraldic.

heraldry.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use her in a sentence

Vladimir Putin endorses plan to tweet about Barneys models from bathroom of his/her choice.
Up to a Point: PJ O’Rourke on Sochi and Senate Slackers|P. J. O’Rourke|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The social media was quick to pick up the word and redefine it as “someone who fights for his/her individual rights.”
Smiling Under a Cloud of Tear Gas: Elif Shafak on Istanbul’s Streets|Elif Shafak|June 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Or of dinners where the wealthiest friend picks up the check while everyone else looks at his/her sneakers.
Income Inequality Within Families is Emerging as a Major Issue|Janna Malamud Smith|January 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Winner agrees to the use of his/her name and likeness in publicity without any additional compensation (except where prohibited).
The Orbitz Business Travel Survey Sweepstakes||December 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Every president and governor needs time for his/her policies to take effect.
30 Is the New 47, So Say the Mittsters|Michael Tomasky|June 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Ay, murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, what about her?what aboutI know!
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Wants to wear the boots just once, she says, to lay the ghost of this what's-her-name—Maria Modena.
The Medici Boots|Pearl Norton Swet
Her virtues are merely milk-and-morality-her intelligence is pure spiritual whey.
The Fiend's Delight|Dod Grile
After the fall of the Ramessidian kings, the priestly Dynasty of Her-hor does not appear to have made use of them very largely.
Scarabs|Isaac Myer
The morning is more modest than thy praises, What a thing does he make her?Arc.
Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (8 of 10)|Francis Beaumont

British Dictionary definitions for her (1 of 2)

her

/ (hɜː, unstressed hə, ə) /

pronoun (objective)

refers to a female person or animalhe loves her; they sold her a bag; something odd about her; lucky her!

refers to things personified as feminine or traditionally to ships and nations

mainly US a dialect word for herself she needs to get her a better job

determiner

of, belonging to, or associated with herher silly ideas; her hair; her smoking annoys me

Word Origin for her

Old English hire, genitive and dative of hēo she, feminine of hēo he 1; related to Old High German ira, Gothic izōs, Middle Dutch hare

undefined her

See me 1

British Dictionary definitions for her (2 of 2)

her.

abbreviation for

heraldic

heraldry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012