theirs
Americanpronoun
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a form of the possessive case of plural they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun: Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?
It is theirs.
Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?
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a form of the possessive case of singular they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun.
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(used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).
I have my book—does everyone else have theirs?
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(used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).
The child couldn’t say whether or not the coat was theirs.
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(used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).
I've already gotten my coffee, but Morgan is still waiting to get theirs.
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that which belongs to them.
The Joneses don't usually flaunt their money, but theirs is the largest house on the block.
pronoun
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something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with them
theirs is difficult
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not_standard something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybody
everyone thinks theirs is best
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belonging to or associated with them
Usage
See they.
Etymology
Origin of theirs
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theires, thair(e)s, theres; see origin at their, -s 1
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.
And maybe let others make theirs, too—free of the gaslighting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
"I believe only civil society can influence these processes. While we are here defending rights, people went out and defended theirs," she said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
But because other people frequently change theirs, earlier ones pop up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
When people change theirs, it can be a sign that they want to disconnect and disassociate from it, he adds.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
If we compare our system of knowledge with theirs then theirs is evidently the poorer one by far.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
