own
/əʊn
/adjective & pronoun
1Used with a possessive to emphasize that someone or something belongs or relates to the person mentioned: [as adjective]: they can’t handle their own children I was an outcast among my own kind [as pronoun]: the Church would look after its own...
- The other five of the same colour is not a trump - it belongs to its own suit.
- Given political independence, Scottish Tories would be free to set their own radical agenda.
- We'd be interested to see whether our readers' views concur with our own so feel free to make use of the comment boxes.
1.1Done or produced by and for the person mentioned: [as adjective]: I used to design all my own clothes [as pronoun]: they claimed the work as their own...
- She has blasted celebrities who bring out their own clothes ranges.
- As a child, Ismat was inspired by her mother, who used to make her own clothes.
- Instead we consciously fashion our own adaptations, from clothes to cars to weapons.
1.2Particular to the person or thing mentioned; individual: [as adjective]: the style had its own charm [as pronoun]: the film had a quality all its own...
- The machine is programmed to each individual's own unique hand characteristics.
- All the pubs on our route have their own individual atmosphere and characters.
- You will soon realise each of these humorous birds has its own individual personality.
Synonyms
personal, individual, particular, private, personalized, idiosyncratic, characteristic, unique
rare especial
verb
1 [with object] Have (something) as one’s own; possess: his father owns a restaurant (as adjective, in combination -owned) a state-owned company...
- You never nurse the slightest notion of ever owning those clothes.
- His parents live in Kolkata; his father owns a portrait photo studio and his mother is a floral stylist.
- Her father, who owns a bank, is reputed to be the wealthiest man in Spain.
Synonyms
be the owner of, possess, be the (proud) possessor of, have in one's possession, have to one's name, count among one's possessions, have, keep, retain, maintain, hold, be blessed with, enjoy, boast
2 [no object] formal Admit or acknowledge that something is the case or that one feels a certain way: she owned to a feeling of profound jealousy [with clause]: he was reluctant to own that he was indebted...
- Hume was quite well aware that Berkeley would not have owned to being a sceptic.
- A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong,
Synonyms
admit, allow, concede, grant, accept, accede, acknowledge, recognize, agree, confess
2.1 [with object] Take or acknowledge full responsibility for (something): I emphasize the importance of owning our anger and finding ways to control it...
- Just because you're scared of something now doesn't mean you won't own your fear in days to come.
- Own your anger by expressing it with "I" statements: "I really get mad when you leave dirty dishes in the sink."
2.2 [with object] archaic Acknowledge paternity, authorship, or possession of: he has published little, trivial things which he will not own
3 [with object] US informal Utterly defeat (an opponent or rival); completely get the better of: yeah right, she totally owned you, man...
- I owned you guys. Admit it please.
- So now I owned you so much to the point that you rely on using quotes from movies as comebacks instead of creating your own?
Phrases
as if (or like) one owns the place
be one's own man (or woman)
come into its (or one's) own
hold one's own
of one's own
on one's own
Phrasal verbs
own up
Origin
Old English āgen (adjective and pronoun) 'owned, possessed', past participle of āgan 'owe'; the verb (Old English āgnian 'possess', also 'make own's own') was originally from the adjective, later probably reintroduced from owner.