Dictionary.com

theirs

[ thairz ]
/ ðɛərz /
Save This Word!

pronoun
a form of the possessive case of plural they used as a predicate adjective, after a noun or without a noun: It is theirs.Oh, you know Walt and Liz—are you a friend of theirs?
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.
that which belongs to them: The Joneses don't usually flaunt their money, but theirs is the largest house on the block.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Compare their.

Origin of theirs

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theires, thair(e)s, theres; see origin at their, -s1

usage note for theirs

See they.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH theirs

theirs , there's
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use theirs in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for theirs

theirs
/ (ðɛəz) /

pronoun
something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with themtheirs is difficult
not standard something or someone belonging to or associated in some way with an indefinite antecedent such as one, whoever, or anybodyeveryone thinks theirs is best
of theirs belonging to or associated with them
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
FEEDBACK