own

[ohn]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to oneself or itself (usually used after a possessive to emphasize the idea of ownership, interest, or relation conveyed by the possessive).

   He spent only his own money.

2. (used as an intensifier to indicate oneself as the sole agent of some activity or action, preceded by a possessive).

   He insists on being his own doctor.

verb (used with object)

1. to have or hold as one's own; possess.

   They own several homes.

   Antonyms: need, lack

2. to acknowledge or admit.

   to own a fault.

3. to acknowledge as one's own; recognize as having full claim, authority, power, dominion, etc..

   He owned his child before the entire assembly. They owned the king as their lord.

4. to totally defeat, gain control over, or dominate in a competition.

   I totally owned the last two levels of the game.

   He owned the season from beginning to end and took the world title.

5. to take over a (a computer system, program, or computer) without authorization.

   The network has been owned by a hacker.

verb (used without object)

1. to confess (often followed by to, up, orup to ).

   The one who did it had better own up. I own to being uncertain about that.

own

/ əʊn /

determiner

1. 1. (intensifier)

      John's own idea

      your own mother

   2. ( as pronoun )

      I'll use my own

2. on behalf of oneself or in relation to oneself

   he is his own worst enemy

3. 1. to become fulfilled

      she really came into her own when she got divorced

   2. to receive what is due to one

4. informal,  to have revenge

5. to maintain one's situation or position, esp in spite of opposition or difficulty

6. 1. without help

   2. by oneself; alone

verb

1. (tr) to have as one's possession

2. to confess or admit; acknowledge

3. rare,  (tr; takes a clause as object) to concede

   I own that you are right

Other Word Forms

• nonowning adjective
• unowned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of own¹

First recorded before 900; (adjective) Middle English owen, Old English āgen (cognate with German eigen, Old Norse eigenn ), originally the past participle of āgan “to possess” ( owe ); (verb) Middle English ownen, Old English āgnian, āhnian, derivative of āgen

Word History and Origins

Origin of own¹

Old English āgen, originally past participle of āgan to have; related to Old Saxon ēgan, Old Norse eiginn. See _owe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get one's own back, to get revenge and thereby a sense of personal satisfaction, as for a slight or a previous setback; get even with somebody or something.

   He saw the award as a way of getting his own back for all the snubs by his colleagues.

2. of one's own, belonging to oneself.

   She had never had a room of her own.

3. come into one's own,

   1. to take possession of that which is due or owed one.

   2. to receive the recognition that one's abilities merit.

      She finally came into her own as a sculptor of the first magnitude.

4. on one's own,

   1. by dint of one's own efforts, resources, or sense of responsibility; independently.

      Because she spoke the language, she got around the country very well on her own.

   2. living or functioning without dependence on others; independent.

      My son's been on his own for several years.

5. hold one's own,

   1. to maintain one's position or condition.

      The stock market seems to be holding its own these days.

   2. to be equal to the opposition.

      He can hold his own in any fight.

More idioms and phrases containing own

• afraid of one's own shadow
• after one's own heart
• beat someone at his or her own game
• blow one's own horn
• call one's own
• close to home
• come into (one's own)
• dig one's own grave
• do one's (own) thing
• dose of one's own medicine
• get (one's own) back
• get one's (own) way
• go one's (own) way
• hold one's own
• in one's (own) interest
• in one's own backyard
• in one's own right
• in one's own world
• keep one's own counsel
• know one's own mind
• leave to someone's own devices
• mind of one's own
• mind one's own business
• of one's own accord
• on one's (own) feet
• on one's own
• on one's own account
• on one's own time
• paddle one's own canoe
• pay back in one's own coin
• pay one's (own) way
• pick on (someone your own size)
• pull one's (own) weight
• sign one's own death warrant
• stew in one's own juice
• take into one's (own) hands
• under one's own steam
• write one's own ticket

Synonym Study

See have.

Example Sentences

It also applies to many of us who are currently grasping at the best ways to confront the injustices in our country, to say nothing of those occurring in our own backyards.

From Salon

A bike saddle also owned by Einstein did not sell at the auction and may be re-listed.

From BBC

The psychologist had spent nine hours interviewing Norris and told the hearing he was an "unreliable narrator of his own life".

From BBC

But on Monday, Miller had his own major media misstep.

From Salon

Instead, they treated the desire to straight-ify themselves as something that kids are coming up with all on their own.

From Salon

Related Words

• boast 
• control 
• dominate 
• enjoy 
• have 
• hold 
• keep 
• occupy 
• retain