Merriam-Webster Added The Singular They Pronoun To The Dictionary

By Lauren Rearick


On Tuesday (September 17) Merriam-Webster announced it could be adding the definitions for 533 new words to its dictionary, and among the additions are dad joke, Bechdel test, and the singular they, a gender-neutral/gender-inclusive pronoun. That affirmation was a long time coming — and yes it can forever impact the lives of LGBTQ+ people, Sam Brinton, Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project said.


Emily Brewster, a senior editor for Merriam-Webster, told USA Today that Merriam-Webster frequently adds words to its dictionary, although she noted that continued support of the pronoun influenced an expanded definition of a word already in existence. “In more recent years, we have this nonbinary ‘they,’ which is currently appearing in cautiously edited text," she mentioned. “It’s appearing in The New York Times. It is being chosen by people and said in articles with some frequency. It’s simply not a usage that can be didn't think about anymore.”


The official dictionary entry reads that the word can be used “to refer to a sole person whose gender identity is nonbinary,” though it’s key to use the right pronouns for whomever you’re communicating with:  Nonbinary, genderqueer, and/or gender-variant people might use any an assortment of pronouns, including xim, ze, sie, and hir, while others use he or she. (The most respectful way to affirm someone else’s pronouns if you’re not sure however? Share your own.) The new definition joins the previous definitions of ‘they’: “those people, animals, or things; used to refer to people in a general way or to an audience of people who are not specified; and used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent.”


The use of the word “they” as a singular pronoun isn’t new. For years, plenty of people have done away with the he/him or she/her binary that has limited gender expression any time it comes to language. Sam Smith recently reported that their pronouns are they/them, joining Amandla Stenberg, Indya Moore, and Jacob Tobia, among others.


Christine Froula, a Professor of English language, Comparative Writings, and Gender and Sexuality Research at Northwestern University told MTV News that “they” has been used for centuries. “[‘They’] emerged in English usage in the 14th century, generally to correspond with the semantic plurality of a word like ‘everyone’ or with an indeterminate person,” Froula mentioned. “Everyday speakers and writers, along with other good English writers, as an example, Jane Austen, Henry Fielding, and Sir Walter Scott, have used it for centuries.” In 2017, the Associated Press Stylebook updated its list of pronouns to better respect and resemble people’s gender identities, and in 2015, the American Dialect Society chose they as its word of the year, The Guardian reported.


LGBTQ+ people have continued to fight for inclusion and representation in areas ranging from pop culture to basic human rights, and Zeke Stokes, chief programs officer at GLAAD, acknowledged how powerful the moment was. “Merriam-Webster’s choice to perceive this by including the pronoun they in the dictionary is an incredibly positive step forward in bringing visibility and representation to the non-binary community,” Stokes told MTV News.


Brinton agreed and pointed out that adhering to someone’s chosen pronouns isn't a hard task, and goes a long way in showing respect. “To have a high-profile influencer like Merriam-Webster so openly educate others on the power of pronouns and the simplicity of the nonbinary use of they and them pronouns is going to prepare each coming day a little bit easier for thousands if not millions of LGBTQ+ youth who deserve the respect of flawlessly used pronouns,” they said.


Froula told MTV News that even with the support of Merriam-Webster, it can take a while for the broader public to respect other people’s pronouns.. “Even with the ideal intentions, it is tough for speakers to break unconscious grammatical habits and re-form new ones,” she mentioned, and it’s possible that people might just decline to adhere to what the dictionary right now affirms. To that end, it’s up to each person else to underscore why getting someone’s pronouns right is so key — along with, honestly? Not challenging at all.