Definition and meaning of English word "he"
he
/hiː/
Meaning
NounA person who identifies as male, or animal already known or implied.
How to use
In English, 'he' is a pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal. It is often used in formal and informal contexts, but its usage can be nuanced. For example, in the sentence 'He is going to the store,' the pronoun 'he' is used as a subject, whereas in the sentence 'He is a great guy,' it is used as a predicate nominative. Learners of English often make the mistake of using 'he' as a generic pronoun, forgetting that it specifically refers to a male person or animal.
🇬🇧 English
he
Example
He is here.
He is my friend.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- the guy next door— a man who lives in the house next to yours
- the man of the house— the head of the household
- the gentleman— a man who is polite and courteous
- the bloke— a man, especially one who is a friend or acquaintance
- the chap— a man, especially one who is a friend or acquaintance
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #76 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "he" mean?▼
The English word "he" means "he" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "he"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "he" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "he"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "He is here." (which translates as "he").
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