See Also:

their (iou)



their possess. pronoun & adjective (in mod. usage also classed as a determiner) , 3 pl. ME.
[Old Norse Teir(r)a genit. pl. of sa, su, Tat THE adjective, THAT, also used as genit. pl. of 3 pers. pronoun. Cf. THEIRN, THEIRS, THEM, THEY.]
A. pronoun. = THEIRS. ME-E17.
b. adjective (attrib.).
Of them; of themselves; which belongs or pertains to them(selves). ME.
J. Steinbeck The fishermen..shifted their oars. E. Bowen Two girls in their twenties had been engaged. Scott Fitzgerald Imagine their objecting to us having champagne for breakfast. I. Murdoch There was no question of their seeing Elizabeth. G. Vidal Let the children find their own way.
b. In titles (as Their Lordships, Their Majesties): that they are. M16.
In relation to a singular noun or pronoun of undetermined gender: his or her. (Considered erron. by some.) ME.
Oxford Times A trustworthy..person with the ability to work on their own initiative.
After a noun (esp. a personal name): substituting for the genit. inflection or possess. suffix 's. arch. M16.
S. Pepys The House of Lords their proceedings in petitioning the King.