he
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of HE
1
:
that male
— used to indicate a male person or animal that is the subject of a verb
—
compare she
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He is my father.
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Ask your brother where he is going.
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He has been planning this trip since January.
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(on the telephone) “Hello, I'd like to speak with Jim.” “This is he.” [=I (the person who answered the phone) am Jim]
2
:
that person
— used in a general sense or when the sex of the person is unknown
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Everyone should do the best he can.
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Tell whoever is in there that he had better come out.
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He who laughs last, laughs best.
◊ This use of he was common in the past but is now often avoided because it is considered sexist.
Britannica Dictionary definition of HE
[singular]
:
a boy, man, or male animal
— sometimes used in combination
-
“Somebody called when you were out, but I can't remember who.” “Was it a he or a she?”
