own
Pronunciation
changeAdjective
change|
Positive |
Comparative |
Superlative |
- (usually before a noun) If something is your own it belongs to you or is about you (often used for emphasis).
- I wish I had my own home.
- I bought it in my own name.
- The toy began to move as though it had a life of its own.
- accidents happen, and often in your very own home.
- If you are on your own, you are by yourself, there is no body else with you. This can also mean there is no one helping you.
- I was on my own in the woods.
- If you try to do that you're on your own – or at least I won't help you!
Usage
change- In almost all cases, own must follow a possessive.
- She lives in her (not: an) own house.
- He repeated the president's own words. (not: He repeated the own words.)
- There are a very small number of set phrases, such as an own goal, in which own doesn't need to follow a possessive.
Verb
change|
Plain form |
Third-person singular |
Past tense |
Past participle |
Present participle |
- If you own something it belongs to you, it is yours.
- Yes, I own a car.
- I plan to build a house on the land I own.
- If you "own up" to something, you admit you did it.
- I had to own up to lying about our relationship.