own

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /əʊn/, SAMPA: /@Un/
• (US) enPR: ōn, IPA ^(key): /oʊn/, SAMPA: /oUn/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive own

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (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.

2. 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

• 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

Plain form own

Third-person singular owns

Past tense owned

Past participle owned

Present participle owning

1. 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.

2. If you "own up" to something, you admit you did it.

   I had to own up to lying about our relationship.