we
Americanpronoun
-
nominative plural of I.
-
(used to denote oneself and another or others).
We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.
-
(used to denote people in general).
the marvels of science that we take for granted.
-
(used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer).
We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.
-
Also called the royal we. (used by a sovereign, or by other high officials and dignitaries, in place of I in formal speech).
We do not wear this crown without humility.
-
Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the too personal or specific I or to represent a collective viewpoint).
As for this column, we will have nothing to do with shady politicians.
-
you (used familiarly, often with mild condescension or sarcasm, as in addressing a child, a patient, etc.).
We know that's naughty, don't we? It's time we took our medicine.
-
(used in the predicate following a copulative verb).
It is we who should thank you.
-
(used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis).
We Americans are a sturdy lot.
pronoun
-
refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people
we should go now
-
refers to all people or people in general
the planet on which we live
-
-
when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1
-
( as noun )
he uses the royal we in his pompous moods
-
-
informal used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm
how are we today?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of we
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis
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.
"A defining feature of the chip was precision current injection, which we used to permeabilize neuronal membranes for intracellular access," Ham said.
From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026
“He didn’t have the money to do stuff, but he made sure we did everything,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026
"We prevent that as Nato collectively. So, for all these reasons, we are in this together, 32 countries and nations, because we need each other."
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026
"In this way, we determined the most efficient descriptors."
From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026
“Midnight can make it if we travel all night.”
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
