hims: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Historic/Obsolete)Archaic, Dialectal, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “hims” mean?
A colloquial and archaic plural form of the masculine singular pronoun 'him'. It was historically used to refer to a group of males, but is now obsolete in standard English.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial and archaic plural form of the masculine singular pronoun 'him'. It was historically used to refer to a group of males, but is now obsolete in standard English.
In modern use, it is considered non-standard or jocular. It may appear in dialectal speech, historical fiction, or as a playful reference to old-fashioned language. It can also be encountered in digital contexts (e.g., gaming, fantasy) to create an archaic atmosphere or as an ironic, exaggerated form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern usage, as the form is archaic in both varieties. May be slightly more likely to be encountered in historical portrayals of British regional dialects.
Connotations
Obsolete, rustic, humorous, or intentionally stylized to sound old-fashioned or quaint.
Frequency
Effectively zero in standard contemporary use. Frequency only rises in specific contexts like historical novels or certain folk songs.
Grammar
How to Use “hims” in a Sentence
[Verb] + hims (archaic object of verb)For hims (archaic object of preposition)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literature studies discussing archaic forms.
Everyday
Not used in standard communication. May be used humorously or in affectation.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hims”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hims”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hims”
- Using 'hims' in modern writing or speech, thinking it is a standard plural. The correct word is always 'them'.
- Confusing 'hims' (archaic object) with 'his' (possessive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic and non-standard plural form of 'him'. It is not used in contemporary Standard English.
The correct word is 'them'. For example, 'I saw the men and spoke to them.'
It is often used to create a stylized, old-fashioned, or humorous tone, particularly in fantasy genres, role-playing games, or ironic internet communication.
It existed in some Early Modern English and regional dialects but was never the dominant standard plural form. The pronoun 'them' (from Old Norse) became standard for the plural object case.
A colloquial and archaic plural form of the masculine singular pronoun 'him'. It was historically used to refer to a group of males, but is now obsolete in standard English.
Hims is usually archaic, dialectal, humorous in register.
Hims: in British English it is pronounced /hɪmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hims and hers (an archaic, jocular counterpart to 'his and hers')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hims' as 'him' with an 's' tacked on, like an old, dusty book on a shelf – it's a plural you might find in a historical text but wouldn't use in a modern email.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE AS ARTIFACT: The word is a linguistic artifact, a fossil from an earlier stage of the language.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you encounter the word 'hims'?