Word
theirs
US/ˈðɛɹz/
UK/ðˈeəz/
Definitions
01belonging to them
A2 · Elementary
pron. the thing or things that belong to 'them'.
pron. the possessive pronoun corresponding to the third-person plural 'they', functioning as a full noun phrase.
“We have our tickets, and they have theirs.”
“While our department met its quarterly targets, the marketing team struggled to reach theirs due to unforeseen budget cuts.”
Usage
This pronoun stands alone and never comes before a noun; use 'their' if a noun follows.
Pitfall
The blue car is their's.
The blue car is theirs.
Possessive pronouns like 'theirs', 'ours', and 'yours' never take an apostrophe.
02their home
B1 · Intermediate Informal
pron. the house or home where a group of people live.
pron. an elliptical construction referring to the residence or home of the third-person plural subjects.
“We're going over to theirs for dinner on Saturday night.”
“After the concert ended, the whole group headed back to theirs to continue the celebration in a more private setting.”
Usage
Commonly used with prepositions like 'at' or 'to' in British and Australian English.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “theirs” in context.
Verb
01. became theirs
“After the contract was signed, the house finally became theirs.”
verb + noun
02. is theirs
“We have our tickets, and this one is theirs.”
verb + noun
03. keep theirs
“I'll put my bag here, but they should keep theirs in the locker.”
verb + noun
Preposition
04. like theirs
“Our garden is small, but I would love a big one like theirs.”
prep + noun
05. of theirs
“A friend of theirs told us that the party was cancelled.”
prep + noun
06. with theirs
“We compared our results with theirs to see if we made any mistakes.”
prep + noun
Etymology
From Middle English theires, attested since the 1300s. Equivalent to their + -s (compare -'s); formed by analogy to his. Displaced theirn (from Middle English theiren, formed by analogy to mine, thine) in standard speech.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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