zir

Zir is a gender-neutral neopronoun used by some people to refer to a nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individual. It is part of a family of neopronouns that emerged in online communities in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as alternatives to traditional he/him and she/her pronouns. The exact forms and rules for zir vary by person or group, but common usage patterns include treating zir as the subject pronoun, zir as the object pronoun, and zirs or zir's as the possessive determiner or possessive pronoun. The reflexive form is often zirself.

Usage examples vary with personal preference. A typical set might yield sentences such as: "Zir went to the store," "I spoke to zir," "That is zirs" or "That is zir's book," and "Zir did it zirself." Because pronoun usage is personal and can change, the best practice is to ask for and use the pronouns an individual specifies.

In writing and documentation, some style guides encourage introducing a person’s pronouns early and using gender-neutral language when possible. Zir, like other neopronouns, is part of broader discussions about inclusive language and gender identity, reflecting ongoing efforts to respect individual naming and self-identification in communication. See also neopronouns and gender-neutral language.