we
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.
Origin of we
1Words Nearby we
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use we in a sentence
If he thinks that he can get a deal he likes, I'd expect to see a c'mon-guys-we-can-do-this conciliatory exhortation.
What to Look for In Tonight's State of the Union | Megan McArdle | February 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThinking about fairness comes more naturally to liberals, and they/we care passionately about it.
Michael Tomasky: Economic Fairness Isn’t Enough for Obama’s Game Plan | Michael Tomasky | April 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd MSNBC (which put out a we-wish-him-well statement) was no longer pleased by Buchanan.
The problem is that Scott is unpopular—awkward, should-we-be-seen-with-him-in-public unpopular.
10 GOP Endorsements That Still Matter in 2012’s Presidential Election | John Avlon | December 7, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTTo be sure, the game has anything but a “we-the-people” buzz, despite its schlubby attire.
Have we?the old man reared himself suddenly in bed, and raised two thin gnarled arms.
The Romance of His Life | Mary CholmondeleyI then pointed to Wade and Ikewna, and then to we-we and myself, offering my arm.
Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury StephensI then put the same question to we-we, pointing to the other.
Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury StephensAh-tn-we-tuck, the Cock Turkey; repeating his prayer from the stick in his hand, described above.
Ah-quee-we-zaints, the Boy Chief; a venerable man of 72 years.
British Dictionary definitions for we
/ (wiː) /
refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people: we should go now
refers to all people or people in general: the 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 sarcasm: how are we today?
Origin of we
1Collins 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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