we

[ wee ]

/ wi /

plural pronoun, possessive our or ours,objective us.

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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

Often it means something is impossible.

It’s another way to agree with someone.

It serves as an apology.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of we

before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij,German wir,Old Norse vēr,Gothic weis

Words nearby we

wd, WDA, WDC, WDLL, WDM, we, WEA, weak, weak accumulation point, weak as a kitten, weaken

British Dictionary definitions for we

/ (wiː) /

pronoun (subjective)

refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other peoplewe should go now

refers to all people or people in generalthe 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 sarcasmhow are we today?

Word Origin for we

Old English wē, related to Old Saxon wī, Old High German wir, Old Norse vēr, Danish, Swedish vi, Sanskrit vayam

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

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we

plural pronoun, possessive our or ours,objective us.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

Origin of we

Words nearby we

British Dictionary definitions for we

pronoun (subjective)

Word Origin for we

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

we

plural pronoun, possessive our or ours,objective us.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

Origin of we

Words nearby we

Content related to we

Words related to we

British Dictionary definitions for we

pronoun (subjective)

Word Origin for we