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you

[yoo, yoo, yuh] / ju, jʊ, jə /
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:

Here’s his explanation for the stock market’s action and what he recommends you do with your money now.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

“Merlot deserves its reputation because you can make bad wine cheaply from it,” Pickett told an interviewer in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

She added: "This group of women are without doubt the best, bravest and smartest women you could ever know and I am so very proud of us all."

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

So with this year’s tremendous increase in long-term interest rates as the bond market has sold off, you might be wondering why the stock market hasn’t declined.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Emotional response is difficult to measure, but there is one usually reliable sign of how you are feeling—sweaty palms.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

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

Volunteers were greeted with fist bumps, air kisses and shouted thank yous.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2025

The 77th Primetime Emmys Awards generated another slate of viral moments, from cash awards for short speeches to history-making wins and heartfelt thank yous.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2025

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

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2023

There were shrieks, tears, laughs, there were countless Thank Gods, I'kneW'it'Wasn’t'hims, I-told- yous.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Here’s his explanation for the stock market’s action and what he recommends you do with your money now.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

For individuals, not being able to get your money out when you need it isn’t an inconvenience; it’s potentially catastrophic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

"After the Wigan game I just went into the changing rooms and said to him 'you know you get to play your final game at Old Trafford'. It's what dreams are made of," Powell added.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

If you dislike or even detest this film, I don’t seek to negate your feelings.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

It can begin in one area of the brain and spread to other regions, sometimes sending your muscles into involuntary convulsions.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

It’s cozy and low-effort enough to make on repeat for just you and yours, but substantial — and just showy enough — to answer a last-minute “Come over for dinner!” text, too.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 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

Is the independent adviser more concerned about their own bottom line than yours?

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 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

“All right, then. I’ll pick you up, say, eleven o’clockish—or would you rather use that fine guidebook of yours to lead you to the West End?”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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