What does "his" mean?
plural of hi
His
/ɪ̈z/ det, name, noun, pron, slang
det, name, noun, pron, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: plural of hi
- Grammar: his is listed as det, name, noun, pron, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: belonging to him, gentleman, he, him.
- Useful contrasts: mon, ur, belong to someone.
- Usage evidence: I would like to give him a present for his birthday.
How to use "his"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "his" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "his" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "his" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "his" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "his" is acting as det, name, noun, pron, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "belonging to him" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "his", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 plural of hi form-of, plural
"The Hikkams pushed a table over by the booth where the Lochwoods and Meekums were sitting, exchanged his and sat down."
- 2 Initialism of health information system or hospital information system. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
"Meronyms: HL7, PACS, DICOM, EHR, EMR"
Determiner
- 1 Belonging to him.
"With that he put his ſpurres vnto his ſteed, With ſpeare in reſt, and toward him did fare, Like ſhaft out of a bow preuenting ſpeed."
- 2 Belonging to a person of unspecified gender. dated, sometimes
"On the contrary, those other passions, commonly denominated selfish, both produce different sentiments in each individual, according to his particular situation […]"
- 3 Its; belonging to it. (Now only when implying personification.) obsolete
"In ſo moche that if any verbe be of the thyꝛde coniugation I ſet out all his rotes and tenſes[…]"
- 4 Used as a genitive marker in place of ’s after a noun, especially a masculine noun ending in -s, to express the possessive case. archaic
"Ahab his mark"
Pronoun
- 1 That or those belonging to him; the possessive case of he, used without a following noun.
"This pen is his. These books are also his."
- 2 Honorific alternative letter-case form of his, sometimes used when referring to God or another important figure who is understood from context. alt-of, honorific, possessive, pronoun, without-noun
"We pray that He grant us His blessings and that His will be done."
- 3 His house or home. informal
"After our night out, I went back to his."
- 4 Alternative spelling of His. alt-of, alternative
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from Swiss.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I would like to give him a present for his birthday."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "his"?
Common synonyms include: belonging to him, gentleman, he, him, his own, histidine.
How do you use "his" in a sentence?
I would like to give him a present for his birthday.
How do you pronounce "his"?
Pronounced /ɪ̈z/.
Etymology
From Middle English his, from Old English his (“his; its”), from Proto-Germanic *hes (“of this”), genitive of Proto-Germanic *hiz (“this, this one”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱe-, *ḱey- (“this”). Cognate with Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic hans (“his”). More at he; see also its.