Definitions

you

[yoo, yoo, yuh] / ju, jʊ, jə /

Part of Speech:

All (5) Pronoun (4) Noun (1)

Jump To:

nominative plural pronoun pron.
nominative singular pronoun pron.
objective singular pronoun pron.
objective plural pronoun pron.
unspecified individual n.

PRONOUN

nominative plural pronoun

Synonyms

STRONGEST

they we

PRONOUN

nominative singular pronoun

Synonyms

STRONGEST

I he it she sie they ve xe ze zie

PRONOUN

objective singular pronoun

Synonyms

WEAK

her him hir it me them ver xem zir

PRONOUN

objective plural pronoun

Synonyms

STRONGEST

them us

NOUN

unspecified individual

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anyone one

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a synonym for you?

We don’t traditionally think of you as having synonyms, but there are several situations in which it can replace—or be replaced with—another word, phrase, or series of words. yourself In some cases, the word yourself (plural, yourselves) is used as another way of saying you. For example, it’s common to say things like You should think for yourself (which avoids using it twice, as in You should think for you). Yourself is also sometimes used in place of you after the words as, than, and but, as in I was a girl no older than yourself. one You is sometimes used not to refer to the listener or reader but to any person in general, much like how the word one is sometimes used, as in You never know what might happen. A more formal way of saying this is One never knows what might happen. y’all and you-all There are a few alternative ways of saying you when it’s plural. The term y’all—a popular shortening of you-all—can be used when referring to multiple people, as in Y’all are my favorite people, or to a person who represents a group or organization, as in Are y’all going to be open on Saturday? These terms (and similar ones like you guys) are typically used in informal communication. yous and youse A plural form of you that is considered nonstandard is yous (or youse) as in Where are yous going? ye and thou Archaic forms of the word you include ye and thou. u You might use the letter u as a substitute for you in very informal communications, such as text messages or online posts, as in i miss u!

What can you use instead of the word you?

There may be some situations when you want to avoid using the word you in a piece of writing, especially in more formal or technical writing, such as a scientific report. In these cases, you can reword things to avoid addressing the reader altogether. For example, instead of saying You’ll see this increase illustrated in the graph below, you could say This increase is illustrated in the graph below. In interpersonal communication, it is often recommended to state grievances without placing blame on the person you’re talking to. Sometimes, the best way to do this is to avoid using the word you. For example, instead of saying You always leave your socks on the floor, try a more tactful phrasing, like It’s frustrating to me when I find socks on the floor.

What kind of pronoun is you?

You is a personal pronoun. Pronouns are used as substitutes for nouns—they’re another way of referring to a noun without using a specific name. Personal pronouns are used to refer to the speaker, to the person being addressed, or the person being talked about. You is categorized as a second person pronoun, meaning that it’s used to address the person being spoken to or reading. In contrast, first person pronouns (like I and me) refer to the speaker or writer themselves, and third person pronouns (like he, she, they, him, her, and them) refer to anyone other than the person doing the communicating or the people being addressed. In literature, second-person point of view is a form of narration in which the events of the story are told using the second person. This technique (using you and its other forms) can express the action as if it’s happening from the point of view of the reader (though it may have other effects). It is far less commonly used than first-person point of view and third-person point of view. Unlike many other personal pronouns, you does not change forms depending on whether it’s being used as a subject (as in You handled that nicely) or an object (as in The doctor will examine you now). In contrast, the pronouns I, he, she, and they are used as subjects, while their object counterparts are me, him, her, and them.

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.

See Examples For:

you yous your yours

"You are trying to establish answers yourself - but it takes you down a maze of rabbit holes," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

“The consumer willingness to buy is very low. If you are not confident, the car is probably one of the things you say: Let’s keep this car another year.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Asking yourself that question helps you figure out what kind of conflict you’re in, and whether it’s worth it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

What is a place or memory you always return to when you come back to visit?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

If you get eleven negatives and one positive, the requirement resets back to square one.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

The black-clad, 23-year-old singer-songwriter barely spoke to the audience, uttering only a couple of thank yous during one of two solo performances at the venue this past weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

"A hundred thank yous for the fabulous doctors, nurses, radiographers, porters, physios, surgeons and more at the Manchester Royal Infirmary," said Archibald.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2024

They kissed and exchanged I love yous; Joe shuffled to the door.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2023

“Scream VI,” which earned the prize for best movie, was represented by a person costumed as the villainous Ghostface delivering thank yous on behalf of the film.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2023

Milkman slumped over the crate and caught his breath, barely able to nod to the old man’s thank yous.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Put some butter on your bread, or cheese, and that is probably from the West Country's other farmers - dairy producers.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Boo your front office too, Braves fans, for not wanting to play ball with Freeman.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

This debacle over your future is a first-world embarrassment of riches.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

"You never expect something like this to come to your door as a parent and when it does, and it was so sudden, it is very hard."

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

In the cortex, you feel your emotions and you make sense of what your senses are telling you.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Following the arrest, Brett Leatherman, assistant director of FBI Cyber, urged members of the group to hand themselves in "while the choice is still yours".

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

But they’re not going to figure out an account is yours if there’s genuinely nothing connecting it to you.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Teach people that discernment requires looking behind the label, and eventually they may look behind yours, too.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston had a “Hallyu” exhibit with a light sick display, and yours was part of it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

“A secret that’s not even yours to tell,” Håkon said.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

you

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

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