Etimology
From Middle English we, from Old English wē (“we”), from Proto-West Germanic *wiʀ, from Proto-Germanic *wīz, *wiz (“we”), from Proto-Indo-European *wéy (“we (plural)”). Cognate with Scots wee, we (“we”), North Frisian we (“we”), West Frisian wy (“we”), Low German wi (“we”), Dutch we, wij (“we”), German wir (“we”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian vi (“we”), Icelandic vér, við (“we”), Avestan 𐬬𐬀𐬉𐬨 (vaēm), Sanskrit वयम् (vayám).
pronoun
we (first-person plural nominative case, objective case us, possessive determiner our, possessive pronoun ours, reflexive ourselves, reflexive singular ourself)
(personal) The speakers/writers, or the speaker/writer and at least one other person (not the person being addressed). (This is the exclusive we.)
(personal) The speaker(s)/writer(s) and the person(s) being addressed. (This is the inclusive we.)
(personal) The institution which the speaker/writer is acting for. (This is the editorial we, used by writers and others when speaking with the authority of their publication or organisation.)
(personal, royal) The sovereign alone in their capacity as monarch. (This is the royal we. The reflexive case of this sense of we is ourself.)
(personal) The plural form of you, including everyone being addressed.
(personal, often considered patronising) A second- or third-person pronoun for a person in the speaker's care.
(colloquial) The speaker themselves, used to imply connection between the speaker's experiences and a group of listeners. (Compare the plural of modesty.)
(West Country, archaic) Us.
(bridge) The side which is keeping score.
Examples
It’s time to overcome queasiness and restraint. We, the liberal and progressive people of the world, are at war with the far right to save the earth.
In light of the promulgation of the aforementioned laws and decisions, we propose to make the following amendments to local legislation to implement the relevant requirements on oath taking by public officers.
How are we all tonight?
As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels.
How are we feeling this morning?
“Well, my dear ma’am, and how are we?” inquired Wosky in a soothing tone. / “Very ill, doctor—very ill,” said Mrs. Bloss in a whisper.
Are we ready to go to bed, sweetie?
Hey guys, how's it going? Today we are going to be playing a new game.
All Vice President [Mike] Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify and we become president and you are the happiest people.
[Today is] not a day to think about fishing so we will get back to working on the shelter. [cut in video] Cool, so I guess the best analogy for this, then, is that we've basically framed the house, and now we get to shingle.
The elephant in the room, you know, we had a stroke back in May.
Antonym: they
determiner
we
The speakers/writers, or the speaker/writer and at least one other person.
Examples
We Canadians like to think of ourselves as different.
Etimology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
pronoun
we
(Geordie) Us.
Examples
He was a propa gadgie, and always bought we drinks after a long shift.He was a great guy, and always bought us drinks after a long shift.
He was a great guy, and always bought us drinks after a long shift.
And what have you done for we since? Nowt!And what have you done for us since? Nothing!
And what have you done for us since? Nothing!