In Appalachian speech, "you’uns" means "you all" or "y’all" - a plural form of "you." It’s a Scots-Irish influenced expression still heard in parts of Appalachia and the Upper South.
Absolutely still hear 'you’uns' - just not as much as 'y'all.'
Pronunciation
[YOO-uhnz] or [YUNZ]
Meaning & Usage
- Plural You / You All (pronoun)
Calling a group
Mae:
You’uns comin’ down to the creek after dinner?
Earl:
Reckon so, if it don’t rain.
variations: you’uns, youns, yuns, yunz
★ Think of "you’uns" as a cousin of "y’all." It’s most common in the Appalachian mountains, especially in eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. ★
Origin
"You’uns" comes from Scots-Irish settlers who brought the phrase "yous ones" into the Appalachian mountains in the 1700s. Over time it blended and shortened into forms like "you’uns" and "yunz." Pittsburgh speech still uses "yinz," a close relative.
Notes
"You’uns" is informal and homey. While "y’all" spread widely across the South, "you’uns" stayed more local to the mountains and hollers. Today, it’s a marker of Appalachian identity and heritage.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say "you" quick and easy, then tack on "uns" (like the ending of "young’uns"). In fast speech it often slurs to "yunz." Tone is casual and familiar, usually aimed at a group of friends or family.
Pretty much - both mean "you (plural)." But "you’uns" is more Appalachian, while "y’all" is more broadly Southern.
Do people still say "you’uns"?
Yes, especially in eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. Younger speakers sometimes use "y’all" more often, but "you’uns" hasn’t disappeared.
What’s the difference between "you’uns" and "yinz"?
They’re cousins. "You’uns" is Appalachian, "yinz" is Pittsburgh-area. Both come from "you ones."
Is it considered proper English?
Not formally, but it’s perfectly proper in Appalachian conversation.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 17). You’uns. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "You’uns." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "You’uns." HillbillySlang.com. August 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns.
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You’uns comin’ down to the creek after dinner?