my

¹

[mahy]

pronoun

1. (a form of the possessive case of I used as an attributive adjective).

   My soup is cold.

interjection

1. Also (used as an exclamation of mild surprise or dismay).

   My, what a big house this is! My-my, how old he looks!

my-

²

1. variant of myo- before some vowels.

   myalgia.

my

¹

/ maɪ /

determiner

1. of, belonging to, or associated with the speaker or writer (me)

   my own ideas

   do you mind my smoking?

2. used in various forms of address

   my lord

   my dear boy

3. used in various exclamations

   my goodness!

interjection

1. an exclamation of surprise, awe, etc

   my, how you've grown!

MY

²

abbreviation

1. motor yacht

my

³

abbreviation

1. Malaysia

my-

⁴

combining form

1. a variant of myo-

Grammar Note

See me.

Word History and Origins

Origin of my¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English mī, variant of mīn, Old English mīn; mine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of my¹

C12 mī, variant of Old English mīn when preceding a word beginning with a consonant

Example Sentences

“I just couldn’t focus. Just instant anxiety and fear. I worried about my family, and how I was gonna get through this year or the next four or three,” Izzy said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, my favorite performance has to be Luna’s, whose Valentin is at once strong and vulnerable, like a mutt attempting to fend off a bear.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I have spent a large proportion of my life trying to warn of the existential threats facing us over global warming, climate change and biodiversity loss," the King told delegates.

Read more on BBC

He added: “My kid was bright as heck, but when he got treated, he said, boy, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“I wish my parents were rich enough to send me to art school.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

When To Use

What does my- mean?

My- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “muscle.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.My- comes from the Greek mŷs, meaning “muscle” and “mouse.” Mouse? You read that right. Discover why at our entry for muscle!My- is a variant of myo-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use myo- article.