his

¹

[ hiz; unstressed iz ]

pronoun

1. the possessive form of he ¹ (used as an attributive or predicative adjective):

   His coat is the brown one. This brown coat is his. Do you mind his speaking first?

2. that or those belonging to him:

   His was the cleverest remark of all. I borrowed a tie of his.

His

²

abbreviation for

, Biochemistry.

1. histidine.

his

/ ɪz; hɪz /

determiner

1. 1. of, belonging to, or associated with him

      his knee

      his own fault

      I don't like his being out so late

   2. as pronoun

      that book is his

      his is on the left

2. his and hers
   (of paired objects) for a man and woman respectively

pronoun

1. of his
   belonging to or associated with him

Gender Note

See he ¹, me.

Word History and Origins

Origin of his¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English, genitive of hē he ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of his¹

Old English his, genitive of hē he ¹and of hit it

Example Sentences

Vladimir Putin endorses plan to tweet about Barneys models from bathroom of his/her choice.

From The Daily Beast

No, not because of that whole selling-his-soul-to-Satan business.

From The Daily Beast

The social media was quick to pick up the word and redefine it as “someone who fights for his/her individual rights.”

From The Daily Beast

The story showcased him as a down-on-his-luck and homeless father struggling to survive with his son.

From The Daily Beast

Or of dinners where the wealthiest friend picks up the check while everyone else looks at his/her sneakers.

From The Daily Beast

I've been a-turnin' the bis'ness over in my mind, and he may make his-self easy, Sammy.

From Project Gutenberg

“Follows-his-own-fancy,” she repeated, as one repeats a strange phrase, the meaning of which is obscure.

From Project Gutenberg

The crowd hurried to meet it, and Litvinov followed it, dragging his-207- feet like a condemned man.

From Project Gutenberg

Of medium height, he gave the impression of being tall-his head thrown up, and like a lion's, rather large for his body.

From Project Gutenberg

Loathsome prigs, stiff conventions, editor of cheap magazines ladled in Sir Wots-his-name.

From Project Gutenberg