we

UK: strong: /ˈwiː/, weak: /wi/ US: /wi/ ,(wē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

we /wi/   pron.pl., poss. our or ours, obj. us. 

1. the plural of I, used as the subject of a sentence when the speaker wishes to refer to himself or herself and another or others:
   I met her last night and we attended a concert.
2. (used after some form of be with the same meaning):
   It is we who should thank you.
3. Also called the royal we. (used in place of I by a king or a queen, or by the Pope).
4. Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the personal I or to represent a collective viewpoint).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

we  (wē), pron. pl., [possessive] our  or ours, [objectective] us. 

1. nominative pl. of I. 
2. (used to denote oneself and another or others):
   We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses.
3. (used to denote people in general):
   the marvels of science that we take for granted.
4. (used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer):
   We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities.
5. Also called the royal we. (used by a sovereign, or by other high officials and dignitaries, in place of I in formal speech):
   We do not wear this crown without humility.
6. Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the too personal or specific I or to represent a collective viewpoint):
   As for this column, we will have nothing to do with shady politicians.
7. you (used familiarly, often with mild condescension or sarcasm, as in addressing a child, a patient, etc.):
   We know that's naughty, don't we? It's time we took our medicine.
8. (used in the predicate following a copulative verb):
   It is we who should thank you.
9. (used in apposition with a noun, esp. for emphasis):
   We Americans are a sturdy lot.

• bef. 900; Middle English, Old English wē; cognate with Dutch wij, German wir, Old Norse vēr, Gothic weis

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

we / wiː/ pronoun (subjective)

1. refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people: we should go now
2. refers to all people or people in general: the planet on which we live
3. when used by editors or other writers, and formerly by monarchs, a formal word for I1
4. used instead of you with a tone of persuasiveness, condescension, or sarcasm: how are we today?

Etymology: Old English wē, related to Old Saxon wī, Old High German wir, Old Norse vēr, Danish, Swedish vi, Sanskrit vayam

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

our•selves /ɑrˈsɛlvz, aʊr-, ˌaʊɚ-/   pron.pl. 

1. a form of the pronoun we, a reflexive pronoun used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition when the subject is we:
   We may be deceiving ourselves. We don't dare vote ourselves a big pay raise.
2. (used to add emphasis to the pronouns we and us):
   We ourselves would never say such a thing.
3. (used in place of we or us in certain constructions with "and'' and "more than''):
   The children and ourselves want to thank you. No one is more fortunate than ourselves.
4. our normal, healthy, or customary selves:
   We were ourselves again after a nap.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

our•self  (är self′, ou^ər-, ou′ər-), pron. 

1. one's own person, individuality, etc., considered as private and apart from others:
   It is for ourself that we should strive for greater knowledge.
2. (a form corresponding to ourselves, used of a single person, esp. in the regal or formal style, as we for I):
   We have taken unto ourself such powers as may be necessary.

• 1300–50; Middle English oure self; see our, self

Usage

See myself. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

our•selves  (är selvz′, ou^ər-, ou′ər-), pron.pl. 

1. a reflexive form of we (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition):
   We are deceiving ourselves. Give us a moment to ourselves.
2. (used as an intensive with we):
   We ourselves would never say such a thing.
3. [Informal.] (used in place of we or us, esp. in compound subjects, objects, and complements):
   The children and ourselves thank you kindly. When it satisfies ourselves, it will be ready to market. The ones who really want the new system are the manager and ourselves.
4. (used in place of we or us after as, than, or but):
   How many parents are as fortunate as ourselves? No one loves skiing more than ourselves. Nobody heard it but ourselves.
5. our customary, normal, or healthy selves:
   After a good rest, we're almost ourselves again.

• 1300–50; Middle English oure selven; see our, self, -en⁴, -s³

Usage

See myself.