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pronoun

pronoun

34 1.0
A word that replaces a noun, for example he, she, or it
  • noun
  • /ˈproʊnaʊn/
translation icon : pronombre
  • Only people with they them pronouns were able to enter.
  • personal pronouns
  • subject pronouns
  • object pronouns

If someone wants to put pronouns in their bio, do it.

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Examples

  • If you accidentally use the wrong gender pronoun, apologize briefly, then continue using the correct term.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Has this patient's pronouns changed again?

  • So the school had changed her name and pronouns behind my back.

  • They just got the pronoun wrong.

  • People should honour the pronouns others wish to be called.

  • I'm sorry, but my pronouns are she and her, not "it."

  • I'm just asking because old people have a hard time with pronouns these days, you know?

  • So you can now add your pronouns to your bio on Instagram.

  • In GALA circles, the practice of changing pronouns is common enough that it is a frequent topic of conversation.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She prefers to be called by her chosen pronoun in all settings.

Synonyms

pronominal
vspronoun
  • Specialized
8.6

A word or phrase that stands in for a noun

is specifically a single word that replaces a noun or noun phrase

Compounds

personal pronoun
  • Specialized
1 1.0

A word that refers to a person or thing, for example I, you, he, she

A word used to point to a person, thing or place, for example this and those

anaphoric pronoun
  • Specialized
8.7

A pronoun that refers to a word or name mentioned earlier in the text

indefinite pronoun
  • Specialized
4.6

A word that refers to no specific person, thing, or amount

interrogative pronoun
  • Specialized
3.6

A word that people use to ask a question, like who or what

Using words like 'they' or 'someone' instead of names to avoid blame

reciprocal pronoun
  • Specialized
7.6

A word that shows two or more people do something to each other

reflexive pronoun
  • Specialized
3.1

A pronoun like myself that points back to the person, animal, or thing doing the action

relative pronoun
  • Specialized
1.4

A word such as who or which that links a noun to extra information

possessive pronoun
  • Specialized
2.0

A word that shows who owns something, like mine or yours

Surface Forms

pronoun singular
pronouns plural

Etymology

Pronoun comes from Latin parts pro- meaning 'for' and nomen meaning 'name', so a pronoun is a word used 'for' a name. That's why pronouns like 'he', 'she', 'it', and 'they' stand in for a person's or thing's name.