them

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations strong: /ˈðɛm/, weak: /ðəm/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ðɛm; unstressed ðəm, əm/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(ᵺem; unstressed ᵺəm, əm)


WordReference Collins English Usage © 2026
them
referring to a plural noun
Them can be the object of a verb or preposition. You use them to refer to people or things that have just been mentioned or whose identity is known.
Those children are now getting ready for school; some of them are only four years old.
She gathered the last few apples and put them into a bag.
Be careful
Don't use ‘them’ as the object of a clause when you are referring to the same people as the subject. Instead, use themselves.
Your children should be old enough now to dress themselves.
meaning ‘him or her’
You can use them instead of ‘him or her’ to refer to a person whose sex is not known or not stated.
If anyone phones, tell them I'm out.
'them' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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