them

[them, thuhm, uhm]

pronoun

1. the objective case of plural they, used as a direct or indirect object.

   We saw them yesterday. I gave them the books.

2. Informal.,  (used instead of the pronoun they in the predicate after the verbto be ): No, that isn’t them.

   It's them, across the street.

   No, that isn’t them.

3. Informal.,  (used instead of the pronoun their before a gerund).

   The boys' parents objected to them hiking without adult supervision.

4. the objective case of singular they, used as a direct or indirect object.

   1. (used to refer to a generic or unspecified person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context): If an officer were to ask you that question directly, you would have to answer them honestly.

      If you know anyone looking for a job, tell them to contact me.

      If an officer were to ask you that question directly, you would have to answer them honestly.

   2. (used to refer to a specific or known person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      I can’t believe your ex took your cat with them when they moved out.

   3. (used to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context).

      Randi’s on vacation, so you can’t see them until next week.

adjective

1. Nonstandard.,  those.

   He don't want them books.

them

/ ðəm, ðɛm /

pronoun

1. (objective) refers to things or people other than the speaker or people addressed

   I'll kill them

   what happened to them?

2. a dialect word for themselves

   they got them a new vice president

determiner

1. a nonstandard word for those

   three of them oranges

Grammar Note

See he ¹, me, they.

Word History and Origins

Origin of them¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English theim, theym, from Old Norse theim “them” (dative); replacing Middle English tham(e), Old English thǣm, thām; they

Word History and Origins

Origin of them¹

Old English thǣm, influenced by Old Norse theim; related to Old Frisian thām, Old Saxon, Old High German thēm, Old Norse theimr, Gothic thaim

Example Sentences

“We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience this may cause and will reach out to those with affected reservations to notify them of their options, including a refund,” Spirit Airlines said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

As much as their codependent friendship brings them closer, when spoken to at the same time, Roman and Dennis always differ in their answers, evincing an underlying disconnect.

From Los Angeles Times

The criticism has been that there is not a lot behind them in terms of Welsh policy detail.

From BBC

He apologised to them for the "bravado" displayed by the defendants who smiled and laughed as they were sent down.

From BBC

"It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European businesses by making it harder for them to make money," said Lee-Anne Mulholland, global head of regulatory affairs at Google.

From BBC

Related Words

• us 
• you