Merriam-Webster has now classified "they" as a nonbinary pronoun.

The dictionary made the announcement Tuesday, saying the pronoun now refers to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.

Using the word in a sentence, Merriam-Webster said, "I knew certain things about … the person I was interviewing.… They had adopted their gender-neutral name a few years ago, when they began to consciously identify as nonbinary — that is, neither male nor female," Merriam-Webster wrote. "They were in their late 20s, working as an event planner, applying to graduate school."

According to Merriam-Webster's statement, the new use of they is direct, and it is for a person whose gender is known, but who does not identify as male or female.

"If I were introducing a friend who preferred to use the pronoun they, I would say, “This is my friend, Jay. I met them at work,” Merriam-Webster said.

The announcement came after British singer Sam Smith recently expressed their desire to be identified as "they" or "them."

“I've decided I am changing my pronouns to They/Them," Smith tweeted Friday. "After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.”

Smith added that it was difficult to make the announcement because of what people think.

"I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try," Smith tweeted. "I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you."

Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM ❤ after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out… pic.twitter.com/IVoLTYbAWd

— Sam Smith (@samsmith) September 13, 2019

Smith said it's not a time to speak at length about what it means to be nonbinary, but that day will come.

"For now I just want to be VISIBLE and open," Smith tweeted. "If you have questions and are wondering what this all means I’ll try my best to explain."

Singular-They-Pronoun

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