What does them mean?
“Them” is the object form of the third-person plural pronoun “they.” It refers to a group of people, animals, or things that has already been mentioned or is readily understood: “She left them the key.” Unlike “they,” which can serve as either a subject or an object, “them” normally occupies an object position, following a verb, preposition, or similar construction. It may also stand alone to mean “those people” or “those things,” especially in expressions that contrast one group with another, such as “us and them.” The word itself is neutral, but its referent can give it an inclusive, familiar, confrontational, or exclusionary force depending on context. Although its function is simple, “them” has a long history: it developed from an Old English inflected form in a demonstrative system that also produced “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” It is standard in formal writing as well as everyday speech.
pronounThe object form of the third-person plural pronoun “they,” used to refer to people, animals, or things already mentioned or understood. It may also stand independently to mean “those people” or “those things.”
- The third-person plural object form of “they,” referring to people, animals, or things already mentioned or understood.
- Used independently to mean “those people” or “those things,” sometimes with an emphatic, dismissive, or contrastive force.
"The museum gave the artists the freedom to exhibit them wherever they wished."
"The committee thanked the volunteers who had supported them throughout the project."
"The children wanted to know what the old photographs meant to them."
“Them” began as an Old English form of “those”—a tiny word descended from the same demonstrative system that produced “this,” “that,” and “these.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does them come from?
Modern “them” descends from Old English þǣm, a dative plural form of the demonstrative pronoun meaning “those.” That Old English demonstrative system also underlies modern words such as “this,” “that,” “these,” “those,” and “there.” Middle English forms varied before “them” became the established form used in both British and American English.
How them is actually used
“Them” normally follows a verb or preposition and refers to a group already identified or clearly understood. It can also function independently in constructions such as “us and them.” Its register is neutral in standard British and American English, although its referent and context can make it sound inclusive, familiar, confrontational, or dismissive.
Easily confused with them
“Them” is an object pronoun referring to people or things, whereas “then” usually indicates a time or a sequence of events.