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you

pronoun
\ ˈyü How to pronounce you (audio) , yə also yē\

Definition of you

1 : the one or ones being addressed —used as the pronoun of the second person singular or plural in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive you may sit in that chair —used formerly only as a plural pronoun of the second person in the dative or accusative case as direct or indirect object of a verb or as object of a preposition — compare thee, thou, ye, your, yours
2 : one sense 2a after a while, it grows on you

How did you become singular?

The history of the pronoun you provides a good example of the effect social forces can have on the language. Originally, the pair ye and you was used along with thee and thou to refer to people in the second person, ye and you for plural and thee and thou for singular. You began as the grammatical object, used in the following ways:

I can see you.

I gave you a present.

These uses are known respectively as the accusative and dative cases. The singular for this use would be thee:

Of thee I sing.

When the second person plural was used as a grammatical subject, ye was used.

Seek and ye shall find.

This use is called the nominative case. The singular for this use would be thou:

How great thou art.

As far back as the 14th century, the plural forms ye and you began to be used to address one person—usually a superior—as a mark of deference and respect. This change could have been influenced by the first-person plural we (the royal “we”) used by sovereigns or reflected the impact of French politeness at work in Middle English. Once this usage of the polite plural began, it gradually grew. This is where social forces came into play: once people begin such a use, it must grow, since people would rather be polite than risk offending others in cases of doubt. As the use of the plural increased, the singular use decreased accordingly: by the beginning of the 17th century, thou and thee marked only an intimate or personal relationship or a superior-to-inferior relationship. It was even sometimes used to show deliberate disrespect. Queen Elizabeth I seems to have used only you in writing, and a user of her prestige must have given you a boost.

By about the middle of the 16th century the contrast in function between ye and you began breaking down, with the effect that you was more frequently used as a subject pronoun as use of ye decreased.

The loss of thee and thou—a singular pronoun for everyday use—was clearly noticed by English speakers.

Initially, the distinction between singular you and plural you was signaled by verb agreement; you was for the singular continued in polite if informal use well into the 18th century before it lost respectability. Special plural forms were later contrived to hold you chiefly to singular use, such as you-all , you-uns, yez, and youse. None of them became standard.

So the simple social drive of good manners has in a few centuries completely remade the second person pronoun in English. No doubt the social pressures of today will work changes in the language as well. The chances are, however, that most changes they bring about will not be rapid.

First Known Use of you

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for you

Middle English, from Old English ēow, dat. & accusative of gē you; akin to Old High German iu, dative of ir you, Sanskrit yūyam you

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More Definitions for you

you

pronoun
How to pronounce you (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of you

—used to refer to the person or group of people that is being addressed as the subject of a verb or as the object of a verb or preposition
—used to refer to any person or to people in general
informal —used to address someone directly —often used before another noun

See the full definition for you in the English Language Learners Dictionary

you

pronoun
\ ˈyü How to pronounce you (audio) , yə\

Kids Definition of you

1 : the person, thing, or group these words are spoken or written to You are absolutely correct. Here, Fluffy, I have a treat for you.
2 : anyone at all You never know what will happen next.

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More from Merriam-Webster on you

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with you

Spanish Central: Translation of you

Nglish: Translation of you for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of you for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about you

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