hisher

Hisher is a proposed gender-inclusive determiner in English, formed by combining his and her. It appears in discussions about inclusive language as a way to refer to a person whose gender is unknown, unspecified, or nonbinary without using gendered pronouns. The term is a neologism and is not standardized or widely recognized by major dictionaries or major style guides.

Usage and reception are largely limited to online discussions, linguistic forums, and some progressive writing resources. When used, hisher would precede a noun, as in hisher book or hisher responsibilities, functioning similarly to his or her in referring to a single individual. Because it is not widely adopted, readers may encounter fatigue or confusion, and it can disrupt fluency in formal or conventional writing. Proponents view it as a transitional option in contexts where pronoun clarity is needed but gender is unknown, while critics argue that it adds complexity and may reinforce gendered thinking rather than reduce it.

Alternatives recommended by many style guides include the use of singular they, recasting sentences to avoid pronouns, or choosing explicit noun phrases such as the person’s name or role. When gender neutrality is important, writers often prefer his or her, one’s, or neutral constructions that avoid pronouns altogether. As linguistic conventions evolve, usage of neologisms like hisher remains debated and is far from mainstream acceptance.

Related concepts include singular they and other gender-neutral pronouns used in English, as well as broader discussions of inclusive language and gender representation in writing.