- The definition of own is something that belongs to oneself.
An example of own used as an adjective is the phrase is "make your own pasta," when a man makes pasta from scratch.
- To own is defined as to possess or acknowledge something.
An example of to own is purchasing a car stereo.
adjective
- belonging, relating, or peculiar to oneself or itself: used to strengthen a preceding possessive: his own book, her own idea
- Now Rare related by blood rather than by marriage
Origin: Middle English owen from Old English agen, past participle of agan, to possess: see owe
noun, pronoun
that which belongs to oneself: the car is his own; I have reasons of my own
transitive verb
- to possess; hold as personal property; have
- to admit; recognize; acknowledge
intransitive verb
to confess (to)
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
adjective
Of or belonging to oneself or itself: She makes her own clothes.
noun That which belongs to one: I wanted a room of my own.
verb owned, own·ing, owns verb, transitive- a. To have or possess as property: owns a chain of restaurants.b. To have control over: For a time, enemy planes owned the skies.
- To admit as being in accordance with fact, truth, or a claim; acknowledge.
To make a full confession or acknowledgment: When confronted with the evidence the thief owned up. See Synonyms at acknowledge.
Origin: Middle English owen, from Old English āgen; see aik- in Indo-European roots.
Related Forms:
- ownˈer noun
own - Phrases/Idioms
In addition to the idioms beginning with own, also see 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.
come into one's own
to receive what properly belongs to one, esp. acclaim or recognition
get one's own back
Chiefly Brit., Informal to get or take revenge; get even
of one's own
belonging strictly to oneself
on one's own
Informal- by one's own efforts or on one's own initiative
- independent of help from others
own up (to)
to confess (to)
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
on (one's) own
- By one's own efforts: She got the job on her own.
- Responsible for oneself; independent of outside help or control: He is now out of college and on his own.