theirs

American  

[thairz] / ðɛərz /

pronoun

1. 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?

2. a form of the possessive case of singular they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun.

   1. (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?

   2. (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.

   3. (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.

3. that which belongs to them.

   The Joneses don't usually flaunt their money, but theirs is the largest house on the block.

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theirs British  

/ ðɛəz /

pronoun

1. something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with them

   theirs is difficult

2. 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

3. belonging to or associated with them

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Usage

See they.

Etymology

Origin of theirs

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theires, thair(e)s, theres; their, -s ¹

Example Sentences

Just 24 hours after Manchester City had a goal controversially ruled out through VAR, Arsenal saw theirs stand.

From BBC

Although all South Korean men must do military service between the ages of 18 and 28, the government actually changed the law to allow K-pop stars to delay theirs until age 30.

From BBC

"Our music belongs as much to our fans, the Dead Heads, as it does to us. This honor, then, is as much theirs as ours."

From Barron's

The series begins with lines from the novel: “There are at least two sides to every story. Yours and mine. Ours and theirs. His and hers. Which means someone is always lying.”

From Los Angeles Times

The first man reported the allegations to the police but the second and third men affected had not reported theirs "because of their embarrassment", the panel heard.

From BBC