Hear "Theirs"in a Southern Accent

In Southern and Appalachian speech, theirs often carries a smooth glide and a clear Southern "r." Instead of the tight "thairz," you’ll hear theh-uhrs /ðɛɚz/, the shorter mountain form thuhrs /ðɚz/, or the wider, older-style thay-uhrs /ðeɚz/. Each one keeps that warm, rounded Southern flow while staying comfortably one syllable.

#SouthernAccents #Pronouns

Variations

A more open, drawled version with a wider initial vowel. /ðeɚz/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with "theh" or "thay," then let the vowel slide naturally into "-uhrs." Keep the word one syllable and let the final "r" ring clear - inland Southern accents rarely soften it here.

Kin Topics

Pronouns

Common Questions

Why does "theirs" drawl differently than "there"?

The added "-s" often shortens the glide slightly, but the Southern vowel still widens before the "r."

Which version is most common?

"Theh-uhrs" is widespread in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Georgia, and Appalachia.

Is "thuhrs" really one syllable?

Yes - it’s a quick, tightened mountain form with a strong rhotic ending.

Do older speakers use "thay-uhrs"?

Often, yes. It shows up in older rural drawls and some deep Southern speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 18). Theirs. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/theirs
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Theirs." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/theirs.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Theirs." HillbillySlang.com. November 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/theirs.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.

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