Theirs

Definition

Theirs is a possessive pronoun used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a previously mentioned group of people.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðɛrz/
• Respelling: THAIRZ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðɛəz/
• Respelling: THAIRZ

Etymology

The word "theirs" originates from Middle English "theirs" or "theires," which derives from Old Norse "þeirra," the genitive plural form of "þeir," meaning "they." It was influenced by the Old English genitive plural "þara." The modern usage as a possessive pronoun dates back to the 13th century.

Derivatives

• Their (adjective)
• Them (pronoun)
• They (pronoun)
• Themself (pronoun, singular reflexive)
• Themselves (pronoun, plural reflexive)

Synonyms

• Ours
• Yours
• Its

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The pronoun "theirs" is used to indicate possession or association with a group of people. For example, "The house is theirs, not ours." It can be used without a noun following it, differentiating it from the adjective "their."

Related Terms

• Possessive Pronoun: A pronoun indicating ownership, such as "ours" or "hers."
• Subject Pronoun: Pronouns like "they" that perform the action in a sentence.
• Object Pronoun: Pronouns like "them" that receive the action in a sentence.

Detailed Definitions

Pronoun

• Belonging to or associated with a group of people previously mentioned: Used to indicate possession.
  • Example: "This book is theirs, not mine."
• Used to avoid repetition of a noun: Allows concise expression of ownership.
  • Example: "The decision was theirs to make."