we
Americanpronoun
possessive
our, ours,objective
us-
nominative plural of I.
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(used to denote oneself and another or others).
We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.
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(used to denote people in general).
the marvels of science that we take for granted.
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(used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer).
We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(used in the predicate following a copulative verb).
It is we who should thank you.
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(used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis).
We Americans are a sturdy lot.
pronoun
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refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people
we should go now
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refers to all people or people in general
the planet on which we live
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when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1
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( as noun )
he uses the royal we in his pompous moods
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informal used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm
how are we today?
Etymology
Origin of we
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“That’s what makes fighting a fire like this different, as opposed to mainland firefight where we can drive in trucks and equipment,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
"We will remind them what's at stake, and we will tell them their vote matters."
From BBC • May 18, 2026
“It is like a giant chess game, in which we need to continue to keep trying to anticipate the next movement, and to overcome it to plan our next move,” Grant told me.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
"After the end of the invasion, we inherited poverty, hardship, unemployment and other problems."
From BBC • May 18, 2026
“Hanging out with the cook guy or anyone else we work with? Voluntarily listening to bad music while swatting at black flies?”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.