own
ohn
Own (adj) means belonging to a particular person; used to stress possession. Example: “He grew his own tomatoes and made sauce in his own kitchen.”
adj
1
Belonging to a particular person; used to stress possession.
"He grew his own tomatoes and made sauce in his own kitchen."
"She has her own car now."
"Each student wrote in their own words."
verb
1
To have legal possession of something.
"Our family has owned this little bookshop for as long as I remember."
"They own a small house in the countryside."
"He owns three restaurants across the city."
2
To admit or accept that something is true, often about yourself.
"She owned up to making the mistake."
"He finally owned that he had forgotten the meeting."
"I own that I was wrong, and I am sorry."
How to use own
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo possess something, or to honestly admit something as true or yours.
Common pairings
own up
own a house
in one's own way
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Word forms
- Plural
- owns
- Third person singular
- owns
- Past tense
- owned
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He grew his _____ tomatoes and made sauce in his own kitchen.
Etymology
From Old English āgen, originally the past participle of āgan ("to owe, possess") — the same root as "owe."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for own
See all rhymes for own →Frequently asked questions
What does “own” mean?
The word “own” means belonging to a particular person; used to stress possession. In plain terms, to possess something, or to honestly admit something as true or yours.
How do you pronounce “own”?
“Own” is pronounced ohn (/oʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “own” in a sentence?
Here is “own” used in a sentence: “She has her own car now.”
What is the opposite of “own”?
The opposite of “own” — its antonyms — is disown.
What part of speech is “own”?
Depending on how it is used, “own” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “own” come from?
The word “own” comes from Old English. From Old English āgen, originally the past participle of āgan ("to owe, possess") — the same root as "owe.".
Is “own” a common word?
“Own” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “own” have?
“Own” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to a particular person; used to stress possession.
Why do we say 'my own'?
The word 'own' adds emphasis to possession. 'My car' simply states ownership, but 'my own car' stresses that it belongs to me and no one else, often implying independence or pride. It reinforces the possessive before it, which is why 'own' always follows words like my, your, or their.
What is the difference between 'own' as an adjective and 'own' as a verb?
As an adjective, 'own' stresses possession and follows a possessive word — 'her own idea.' As a verb, 'own' means to possess something — 'she owns the shop.' The adjective emphasises that something belongs to someone; the verb states the plain fact of possession itself.
What is an example of 'own' stressing possession?
'He built the house with his own hands' underlines that he, personally, did the work. 'She has her own money' stresses that the money is hers alone. In each case, 'own' strengthens the possessive, ruling out the idea that anyone else was involved.
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