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

In 2020 the Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency sent out Hayabusa2 to learn more about the smallest of asteroids flying around in our Solar System and bring back some samples.

From Space Scoop

“For too long, American patients have been forced to subsidize prescription drugs and biologics in other developed countries by paying a significant premium for the same products in ours,” U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was thanks in significant part to Cowell that we came to have the genre we call world music.

From Los Angeles Times

“We wanted to see development, we wanted to see growth, and we just weren’t seeing it.”

From Salon

As we approached the broad face of the 1930s federal building that had served as Carville’s hospital, I tried to catch my father’s eye, but I couldn’t read his face.

From Salon

Related Words

• they
• you