we

American  

[wee] / wi /

pronoun

possessive

our, ours,

objective

us

1. nominative plural of I.

2. (used to denote oneself and another or others).

   We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.

3. (used to denote people in general).

   the marvels of science that we take for granted.

4. (used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer).

   We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. (used in the predicate following a copulative verb).

   It is we who should thank you.

9. (used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis).

   We Americans are a sturdy lot.

---

we British  

/ wiː /

pronoun

1. refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people

   we should go now

2. refers to all people or people in general

   the planet on which we live

3. 1. when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1

   2. ( as noun )

      he uses the royal we in his pompous moods

4. informal used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm

   how are we today?

---

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

“We need productivity. If we get productivity, we can pay,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Glad I could contribute to help us get a win.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The only way I know it was a tow truck was because of our home cameras. It’s the same strategy, backing up and taking the car in minutes,” Zavala said.

From Los Angeles Times

“We don’t follow Denmark’s vaccine recommendations because we don’t live in Denmark,” said Dr. Jose Romero of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.

From Salon

When I took over two years ago at Sheffield Wednesday, we were 12, 13 points under the line.

From BBC

Related Words

• they
• you