WE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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we

[ wee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural pronoun

objective: uspossessive: our or ours

nominative plural of I.
(used to denote oneself and another or others):
We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.
(used to denote people in general):
the marvels of science that we take for granted.
(used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer):
We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.
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.
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.
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.
(used in the predicate following a copulative verb):
It is we who should thank you.
(used in apposition with a noun, especially for emphasis):
We Americans are a sturdy lot.

/ �ɾ�ː /

pronoun

refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people
we should go now
refers to all people or people in general
the planet on which we live
1. when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I 1
2. ( as noun )
  he uses the royal we in his pompous moods
informal.
used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm
how are we today?

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of we¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English ��ŧ; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse ��ŧ��, Gothic weis

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of we¹

Old English ��ŧ, related to Old Saxon ��ī, Old High German wir, Old Norse ��ŧ��, Danish, Swedish vi, Sanskrit vayam

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Giving those guys three outs on the bases,” Roberts said, “that’s something that we have to clean up.”

From

Asked by the BBC why the US had not meaningfully responded, as it routinely has to past such disasters, Rubio said "we are not the government of the world".

From

They’ve been watching bad human behavior — and we all know the security guard doesn’t keep a good eye on his gun.

From

“After they do their time as of now, we have to release them into the general population, and I believe that is wrong,” he said.

From

"My brother, sister and I were always last as our surname began with W," he says.

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