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

This plot doodles along, rarely going where we expect.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

But we live in a world where instant condemnation is taught and incentivized.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

One Tehran resident, who we are calling Noor, has a son in his early teens.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“This story will come down to executing on a well understood and bullish forecast and we think the narrative is shifting more toward Optics where it belongs.”

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

With his other hand, Ben pushes aside leafy branches blocking our gravel path, and we step into a grassy clearing.

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

Related Words

• they
• you