of
What is another word for of? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.
Prep — Used to show that something belongs to, or is a part of, something else.
We haven't recorded synonyms for of yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
From Old English of, originally meaning "away from" — the same word that eventually split into both "of" and "off" in Middle English.
Full origin of of →Frequently asked questions
What does “of” mean?
The word “of” means used to show that something belongs to, or is a part of, something else. In plain terms, one of the most common words in English, used to link a noun to what it belongs to, is made of, or concerns.
How do you pronounce “of”?
“Of” is pronounced ov (/ʌv/ in IPA).
How do you use “of” in a sentence?
Here is “of” used in a sentence: “The cover of the book was torn.”
What part of speech is “of”?
“Of” is a preposition.
Where does the word “of” come from?
The word “of” comes from Old English. From Old English of, originally meaning "away from" — the same word that eventually split into both "of" and "off" in Middle English.
Is “of” a common word?
“Of” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “of” have?
“Of” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to show that something belongs to, or is a part of, something else.
Is "could of" ever correct?
No. "Could of" is a misspelling of "could have" (contracted as "could've"), which merely sounds like "could of" in fast speech. The same applies to "should have" and "would have" — never "should of" or "would of."
What is the difference between "of" and "off"?
"Of" is a preposition showing belonging, origin, or material: "the door of the house", "made of wood." "Off" means away from or removed from something: "take it off the table." They are pronounced differently — "of" is unstressed with a v-sound — and are never interchangeable.
When should you use "of" instead of an apostrophe-s possessive?
The "of" structure is preferred for inanimate things and long phrases: "the roof of the old house" rather than "the old house's roof." Apostrophe-s is the natural choice for people and animals: "Sarah's book", "the dog's tail."
What is the difference between "made of" and "made from"?
Use "made of" when the original material is still recognizable: "a table made of oak." Use "made from" when the material has been transformed into something else: "paper is made from wood."
