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.

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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?

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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

"I think the economics of social media and the kind of attention economy in which we live lend itself towards more AI content," says Prof Miah.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

“While we would have liked a harsher sentence that better reflects the pain of the Kessler family, we respect the legal process,” Farkas said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"The first thing we saw, which was super bizarre and we didn't expect, was that there were filopodia everywhere," Harnett says.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

"I've loved working with Jon from the very first day we met... I have huge admiration for his writing, but he's also a brilliant collaborator and a lovely person."

From BBC • May 6, 2026

“Your mom,” Awesiinh says with the weakest comeback we know.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• they
• you