you
the pronoun of the second person singular or plural, used of the person or persons being addressed, in the nominative or objective case: You are the highest bidder. It is you who are to blame. We can't help you. This package came for you. Did she give you the book?
one; anyone; people in general: a tiny animal you can't even see.
(used in apposition with the subject of a sentence, sometimes repeated for emphasis following the subject): You children pay attention. You rascal, you!
Informal. (used in place of the pronoun your before a gerund): There's no sense in you getting upset.
Archaic.
yourself; yourselves: Get you home. Make you ready.
a plural form of the pronoun ye1.
something or someone closely identified with or resembling the person addressed: Don't buy the bright red shirt—it just isn't you. It was like seeing another you.
the nature or character of the person addressed: Try to discover the hidden you.
Origin of you
1usage note For you
Words that may be confused with you
Words Nearby you
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use you in a sentence
The Internet cool kids are rallying against Taylor Swift after her bold screw-you to Spotify.
Death of the Author by Viral Infection: In Defense of Taylor Swift, Digital Doomsayer | Arthur Chu | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor more better-for-you beverages, check out these 10 Healthy Holiday Cocktail Recipes.
12 Thanksgiving Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work | DailyBurn | November 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDwyer was present for many of the events he describes, providing a you-are-in-the-room feel.
How Four Upstarts Built and Crashed the Anti-Facebook | Jake Whitney | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBecause that minimum-wage hike was a project of the federal government, and that means that you-know-who was for it.
Inside the Democrats’ Godawful Midterm Election Wipeout | Michael Tomasky | November 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo it's really a take-what-you-can-get kind of situation with him.
‘Scandal’ Review: Olivia Pope Has Lost Her Damn Mind | Kevin Fallon | September 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The "Pay-as-you-Go" system has reflected favorably on the state's financial reputation.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. Torpey"I beg of you, I appeal to you-my friend," she urged, with that ardour of the counsel who pleads a bad cause.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete | Gilbert Parker"I wish t' hell, stranger, you-all hadn't edged off south," chattered Alfred.
Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward WhiteBut wildcats is purty heavy, an' you-all can hit 'em with a shotgun.
The Ghost Breaker | Charles Goddard"I just stepped over to inquire what you-all'd like for breakfast this mornin'," he said with a grin.
Hidden Gold | Wilder Anthony
British Dictionary definitions for you
/ (juː, unstressed jʊ) /
refers to the person addressed or to more than one person including the person or persons addressed but not including the speaker: you know better; the culprit is among you
Also: one refers to an unspecified person or people in general: you can't tell the boys from the girls
mainly US a dialect word for yourself or yourselves: you should get you a wife now See yourself
informal the personality of the person being addressed or something that expresses it: that hat isn't really you
you know what or you know who a thing or person that the speaker cannot or does not want to specify
Origin of you
1you
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with you
In addition to the idioms beginning with you
- you better believe it
- you bet your ass
- you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
- you can say that again
- you can't take it with you
- you can't win
- you can't win 'em all
- you could cut it with a knife
- you don't say
- you get what you pay for
- you just don't get it
- you know
- you know something?
- you name it
- you never can tell
- young at heart
- you said it
- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
also see:
- all right for you
- as you please
- before you can say Jack Robinson
- before you know it
- between you and me
- bite the hand that feeds you
- do you read me
- for shame (on you)
- fuck you
- good for (you)
- how does that grab you
- how do you do
- if you can't beat them, join them
- I'll be seeing you
- I told you so
- look before you leap
- my heart bleeds for you
- no matter how you slice it
- not if you paid me
- now you're talking
- pay as you go
- practice what you preach
- quit while you're ahead
- same to you
- says who (you)
- screw you
- that's ___ for you
- what do you know
- what do you take me for
- what have you
- what of it (what's it to you)
- what's eating you
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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