second person

noun

: a set of linguistic forms (such as verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring to the person or thing addressed in the utterance in which they occur

: a linguistic form belonging to such a set

: reference of a linguistic form to the person or thing addressed in the utterance in which it occurs

Examples of second person in a Sentence

The author begins the story in the second person with the sentence “You open the door and step into the room.”

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of second person was in 1612

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Second person.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20person. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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