y'all

American  

[yawl] / yɔl /

pronoun

Informal, Dialect.

1. you (used in direct address usually to two or more people, or to one person who represents a family, organization, etc.): Y’all let me know when you want those coffees warmed up.

   Are y’all coming home for the holidays this year?

   Y’all let me know when you want those coffees warmed up.

   If we get there before you, we’ll try to save y’all a seat.

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Usage

The pronoun y’all is traditionally associated with Southern American English or African American Vernacular English, and is generally understood to be a plural form of you. In modern Standard American English, the first person pronouns are singular I and plural we; the third person pronouns are singular he, she, or it and plural they. But the second person pronouns are both you in the singular and you in the plural. Different dialects resolve this latter ambiguity with expressions like you guys or you-uns. In the South, this plural pronoun function is filled by you-all (pronounced , , or ) and by the fused form y’all (pronounced ). You-all briefly spread in dialectal distribution into the mid-Atlantic and Western United States; however, its growth was overtaken by the regional spread of y’all in the 1990s and 2000s. Y’all is now widely used and less strictly perceived as Southern, except in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and in California, where its adoption has been limited. In every dialect where y’all is used, it serves two general functions when contrasted with you. When speakers choose y’all over you, it expresses the plural, and it conveys a friendly informal tone. The plural may indicate two or more people are present, or may be addressed to a single person who is perceived as a representative for a larger group. For example, you might ask a waiter, “Do y’all have onion rings, or just fries?” The y’all in that case is understood as addressed not only to the one waiter, but the cook and everyone else who works at the restaurant. The speaker at a commencement ceremony might say “Dear graduates, you have a bright future” or “Y’all are the heart and soul of this institution.” The choice of you or y’all at different parts of the commencement speech doesn’t communicate singular and plural in this instance (the number of graduates is unchanged). Rather, you is a choice that expresses the formality of the important occasion, while y’all in the same speech shows warmth, community, or solidarity. There is significant debate about whether y’all can ever be strictly singular (without implying a larger group, association, or network). Such examples are uncommon and judged as ungrammatical by many speakers who otherwise freely use y’all themselves. In the rare instance of singular y’all, it is best understood as a pragmatic choice to communicate friendly solidarity, or to express group membership as a speaker of Southern American English.

Etymology

Origin of y'all

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; shortening of you all

Example Sentences

“So this is for them. For all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity, to be part of a nation that promised freedom for all, and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America color, I love y’all so much.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Y’all just call anytime you want! Here’s my number!”

From Literature

But for now, I want to thank y’all so much for allowing our show to be a part of your lives, and for believing in us and hanging with us for seven incredible years.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I don't know how y'all feel but, for me, it's like listening to your voicemail over like a loud speaker," he observed.

From BBC

“How y’all doing?” may not be the first question you’d expect to hear from a Wall Street financial firm.

From Barron's