his

1 of 2

adjective

(h)iz,

ˌhiz 

: of or relating to him or himself especially as possessor, agent, or object of an action

his house

his writings

his confirmation

compare he entry 1

his

2 of 2

pronoun

ˈhiz 

singular or plural in construction

: that which belongs to him

—used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective his

Examples of his in a Sentence

Adjective

He bought his own house.

His house is out in the country.

He sat quietly at his desk.

I would like to read some of his essays.

He was jailed for three years for his crime.

It's his turn to play.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, genitive of hē he

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing his

• a fool and his money are soon parted
• bring (someone) to his/her knees
• each to his own
• every dog has his/its day
• get his money's worth
• get on his bad side
• getting on his case
• give (someone) a run for his/her/your/their money
• his/her/my eyes roam
• his/her/their/my/our spirits rise
• in his death throes
• keeps a few tricks up his sleeve
• keep (someone) in his/her place
• keep (someone) on his/her toes
• knock (someone) off his/her pedestal
• leave someone to his or her own devices
• losing his grip on reality
• man/woman of his/her word
• met his gaze
• of his
• puke his guts out
• put someone in his/her place
• put (someone) off his/her stride
• put (someone) off his/her stroke
• put (someone or something) through his/her/its paces
• retracing his steps/footsteps
• someone's bark is worse than his/her bite
• someone's word is his/her bond
• stop (someone) in his/her tracks
• sweep (someone) off his/her feet
• the/his chickens are (finally) coming home to roost
• throw/knock (someone) off (his/her) stride
• to each his own
• tried his level best
• weaseled his way out of
• weasel his way into
• weighing on his mind
• went behind his back
• what's-his-name
• wipe the grin off his face
• with a (single) stroke of a/the/his/her pen
• you should have seen his face

Video

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Kids Definition

his

1 of 2 adjective

(h)iz 

ˌhiz

: of, relating to, or belonging to him or himself

his house

his writings

his

2 of 2 pronoun

ˈhiz 

: his one : his ones

the book is his

Medical Definition

His

abbreviation

histidine; histidyl