thou: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Used only in specific historical, religious, or literary contexts. Very rare in modern speech.)Archaic, Literary, Religious (Quaker/Conservative Christian), Poetic, Historical.
Quick answer
What does “thou” mean?
Archaic second-person singular subject pronoun, equivalent to modern 'you'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Archaic second-person singular subject pronoun, equivalent to modern 'you'.
Used historically for addressing one person informally, intimately, or condescendingly; also used poetically or in certain religious (e.g., Quaker) contexts to denote egalitarianism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern perception. Both treat it as archaic. Quaker usage ('plain speech') is historically associated with British and American Quakers but is now largely obsolete.
Connotations
Historical England, Shakespeare, the King James Bible. Can sound solemn, poetic, or deliberately old-fashioned.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely encountered in British contexts due to greater emphasis on Shakespeare in education, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “thou” in a Sentence
THOU + V (2nd person singular verb form, e.g., art, hast, dost, shalt, wilt, goest)THOU (subject) + auxiliary/modal + V (e.g., thou hast been)V (imperative) + THOU (e.g., be thou)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thou” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Thou art' is common in historical drama.
- 'Thou dost protest too much,' she quoted.
American English
- 'Thou shalt not' is widely recognized from the Bible.
- 'Hast thou finished?' he asked in a theatrical tone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics, literary analysis of Early Modern English texts, or theology discussing Biblical translation.
Everyday
Never used seriously. May be used jokingly to sound old-fashioned (e.g., 'Where art thou going?').
Technical
Used in historical document transcription, philology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thou”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thou”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thou”
- Using 'thou' with modern verb forms (e.g., 'thou are', 'thou has'). Must use archaic forms: 'thou art', 'thou hast'.
- Using 'thou' in modern writing or speech outside specific stylistic contexts.
- Confusing 'thou' (subject) with 'thee' (object).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in everyday conversation. It is only used in historical reenactments, religious contexts (like certain Bible readings or Quaker meetings, though even this is rare), literature, and poetry to create an archaic effect.
'Thou' is the subject form (like 'I', 'he'), used before a verb: 'Thou art here.' 'Thee' is the object form (like 'me', 'him'): 'I give this to thee.'
The plural 'you' gradually replaced the singular 'thou' as a mark of politeness and formality (a process called the loss of the T-V distinction). By the 18th century, 'you' became the standard for both singular and plural, making 'thou' sound archaic.
It's a social signal. Characters use 'thou' to inferiors, intimates (family, lovers), or when insulting someone (implying they are not worthy of the polite 'you'). They use 'you' to superiors, strangers, or in formal situations. Shifts between them often signal changing emotions.
Archaic second-person singular subject pronoun, equivalent to modern 'you'.
Thou is usually archaic, literary, religious (quaker/conservative christian), poetic, historical. in register.
Thou: in British English it is pronounced /ðaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Holier-than-thou”
- “Thou shalt not (from the Ten Commandments)”
- “Quit ye like men (archaic; 'ye' often conflated with 'thou' in popular memory)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
THOU rhymes with NOW, and is the archaic way to say 'YOU' to one person.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROXIMITY/INTIMACY IS THOU (historically, used for close relations); DISTANCE/FORMALITY IS YOU.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the pronoun 'thou' be used authentically in the 21st century?