Showing results for "theirs"

• possessive of he.
• possessive of it.
• possessive of she.
• possessive of they.

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; see origin at their, -s ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

theirs

From “Sailor Beware” to “The Stooge,” “Living It Up” and “Artists and Models,” theirs was a comedy partnership that came to symbolize America.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

BBC News spoke to students posing for photographs in Salford Quays to find out how they saved money on theirs.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 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

I know if this hologram of theirs is astronomically correct, then behind the moon, I’ll find...

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera