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View definitions for you

you

pronoun as in nominative plural pronoun

Strongest matches

pronoun as in nominative singular pronoun

Strongest matches

pronoun as in objective singular pronoun

pronoun as in objective plural pronoun

Strongest matches

noun as in unspecified individual

Strongest matches

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Example Sentences

The Internet cool kids are rallying against Taylor Swift after her bold screw-you to Spotify.

For more better-for-you beverages, check out these 10 Healthy Holiday Cocktail Recipes.

Dwyer was present for many of the events he describes, providing a you-are-in-the-room feel.

Because that minimum-wage hike was a project of the federal government, and that means that you-know-who was for it.

So it's really a take-what-you-can-get kind of situation with him.

The "Pay-as-You-Go" system has reflected favorably on the state's financial reputation.

"I beg of you, I appeal to you-my friend," she urged, with that ardour of the counsel who pleads a bad cause.

"I wish t' hell, stranger, you-all hadn't edged off south," chattered Alfred.

But wildcats is purty heavy, an' you-all can hit 'em with a shotgun.

"I just stepped over to inquire what you-all'd like for breakfast this mornin'," he said with a grin.

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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.

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On this page you'll find 47 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to you, such as: we, and they.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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