you
noun · verb
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
yooIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈju
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
The name of the Latin-script letter U/u.
verb
transitive
To address (a person) using the pronoun you (in the past, especially to use you rather than thou, when you was considered more formal).
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: The name of the Latin-script letter U/u.
Used this way, you is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
Share your sentence
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Related Learning
Guides that use this word in context.
Vocabulary
Why You Know a Word but Can’t Remember It
The science behind tip-of-the-tongue moments, why the word feels so close, and practical steps for recovering it faster.
Vocabulary
Words to Describe Someone You Love: 50 Meaningful Words
Find meaningful words to describe someone you love, from affectionate and caring to loyal, comforting, admirable, and deeply connected.
Vocabulary
What Do You Call Someone Who Loves Being Alone?
Looking for a word for someone who loves being alone? Explore introvert, loner, homebody, recluse, solitary, and other words, and learn the important differences between them.
Use it yourself
Knowing “you” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.