her'n
Hers. The absolute form: that one's her'n.
Also called hern, hers.
Updated September 24, 2026
her'n pronunciation
/HURN/
Meaning
Her'n means hers when it stands alone, with no noun after it. That pie is her'n. The coat on the porch is her'n. Same family as his'n, your'n, and our'n in Appalachian and rural Southern speech. Standard English wants hers. Mountain talk kept the -n ending that matches mine and thine.
How folks use it
- “That little white mare is her'n.”
- “She said the quilt was her'n and not to touch it.”
Origin and etymology
Appalachian absolute possessive, formed like his'n and your'n by analogy with mine and thine. Documented in Smoky Mountain English grammar notes. Some speakers hear it as hers plus a clipped own or one, but the older pattern is the -n ending on possessives.
Frequently asked questions
Is her'n the same as hers?
Same ownership, different form. Her'n usually stands alone at the end of a sentence. You wouldn't say her'n book; you'd say her book or that book is her'n.