theirs

Definition

That or those belonging to them; the possessive case of they, used without a following 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.

Example Sentences

• "This luggage is theirs. These passports are also theirs."
• "Theirs cost a lot more than ours."
• "That cat of theirs got into our garden again."