You’uns

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.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #BlendedWords #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Absolutely still hear 'you’uns' - just not as much as 'y'all.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Absolutely still hear 'you’uns' - just not as much as 'y'all.'

Pronunciation

[YOO-uhnz] or [YUNZ]

Meaning & Usage

- Plural You / You All (pronoun)

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 and Etymology

"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.

Usage 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.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "you’uns" the same as "y’all"?

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, September 4). You’uns. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "You’uns." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "You’uns." HillbillySlang.com. September 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/you-uns.

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