| 1. | nominative pl. of I. |
| 2. | (used to denote oneself and another or others): We have two children. In this block we all own our own houses. |
| 3. | (used to denote people in general): the marvels of science that we take for granted. |
| 4. | (used to indicate a particular profession, nationality, political party, etc., that includes the speaker or writer): We in the medical profession have moral responsibilities. |
| 5. | Also called the royal we. (used by a sovereign, or by other high officials and dignitaries, in place of I in formal speech): We do not wear this crown without humility. |
| 6. | Also called the editorial we. (used by editors, writers, etc., to avoid the too personal or specific I or to represent a collective viewpoint): As for this column, we will have nothing to do with shady politicians. |
| 7. | you (used familiarly, often with mild condescension or sarcasm, as in addressing a child, a patient, etc.): We know that's naughty, don't we? It's time we took our medicine. |
| 8. | (used in the predicate following a copulative verb): It is we who should thank you. |
| 9. | (used in apposition with a noun, esp. for emphasis): We Americans are a sturdy lot. |

| royal we n. The first-person plural pronoun used by a sovereign in formal address to refer to himself or herself. |