Definition of 'him'

Word Frequency

him

(hɪm )

language note: Him is a third person singular pronoun. Him is used as the object of a verb or a preposition.

1. pronoun

You use him to refer to a man, boy, or male animal.

John's aunt died suddenly and left him a surprisingly large sum.

Is Sam there? Let me talk to him.

On his arrival, Elaine met him at the bus station.

My brother had a lovely dog. I looked after him for about a week.

2. pronoun

In written English, him is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Many people prefer to use 'him or her' or 'them' as an alternative to 'him'.

If the child sees the word 'hear', we should show him that this is the base word in 'hearing'.

3. singular pronoun [verb PRON, preposition PRON]

In some religions, Him is used to refer to God.

God will help you if you turn to Him in humility and trust.

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Video: pronunciation of
him

him in British English

(hɪm , unstressed ɪm )

pronoun (objective)

refers to a male person or animal

they needed him

I baked him a cake

not him again!

2. mainly US a dialect word for himself

he ought to find him a wife

▶ USAGE See note at me1

Word origin

Old English him, dative of hē he1

Word Frequency

HIM in British English

abbreviation for

His (or Her) Imperial Majesty

Word Frequency

HIM in American English

Her (or His) Imperial Majesty

Word Frequency

him in American English

(hɪm )

pronoun

objective form of

he1[ help him; give him the book]

, also used as a predicate complement with a linking verb, although this usage is objected to by some [that's him]

Word origin

OE him, dat. of he, he, merged in sense with hine, acc. of he

Word Frequency

him in American English

(hɪm)

pronoun

the objective case of he, used as a direct or indirect object

I'll see him tomorrow

Give him the message

2. informal

(used instead of the pronoun he in the predicate after the verb to be)

It's him. It isn't him

3. informal

(used instead of the pronoun his before a gerund)

We were surprised by him wanting to leave

noun

4. informal

a male

Is the new baby a her or a him?

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME, OE, dat. of hē he1]

Word Frequency

H.I.M. in American English

abbreviation

His Imperial Majesty; Her Imperial Majesty

Examples of 'him' in a sentence
him

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

You used to see him walking the dog as well.They just accept him for the person he is.We use him as a policeman in the dressing room.It ruined him as a person and he nearly killed himself.The phones used in the devices are thought to have been used to trace him.He claimed the person who reported him left the scene quickly.It upsets me when people just target him because he 's so innocent. Exeter crown court gave him eight month 's jail, suspended.He looks a really nice prospect and we'll know where we are with him after today 's race.Whether we use him or not is another thing.