own
verb
Definitions of own verb
possession
- B1TransitiveNot continuous
to legally possess something
We have legal ownership of our house.
I have never legally possessed a suit in my life.
The company now legally owns a number of patents.
admission
- Intransitiveold-fashioned
to acknowledge or admit something
I own that I was disappointed with their decision.
She finally owned up to her mistake.
He was forced to own his ignorance.
performance
- Transitiveinformal
to decisively defeat someone or to greatly outperform someone or something
We completely owned them in the last game!
He completely owned the debate.
She totally owned the stage during last night's performance.
pronoun
Definitions of own pronoun
- A2
related to or belonging to a particular person or thing
Every neighborhood in New York has its own unique characteristics.
I wish to possess my own apartment.
He desired an apartment that was his own.
Phrases of own pronoun
- (all) on your own
Without assistance from others; alone.
• I prefer living all on my own.
- in your own time
To do something at a pace that one is comfortable with, without being rushed.
• I prefer to do things at my own pace; I don't like to be rushed.
determiner
Definitions of own determiner
- A2
related to or belonging to a particular person or thing
Every neighborhood in New York has its own unique characteristics.
I wish to possess my own apartment.
He desired an apartment that was his own.
Idioms
- on your own head be it
This phrase is used to warn someone that they will be solely responsible for the outcome of their actions.
• If you insist on driving in that weather, on your own head be it if anything happens.
- for its own sake
Doing something for its own sake means doing it because it is inherently interesting or enjoyable, rather than for any ulterior motive or external reward.
• He enjoys running for its own sake, not to compete in races.
- get your own way
To successfully persuade or manipulate others to do what you want, often by being persistent or assertive.
• She always gets her own way, no matter what she wants.
- as if you owned the place
Behaving in an overly confident or presumptuous manner, as if one has ownership or authority over a place or situation.
• He walked into the meeting room as if he owned the place, completely disregarding everyone else's opinions.
- make something (all) your own
To make something, such as a piece of music, widely known and popular through one's unique performance or interpretation.
• The pianist completely made the classical piece his own, giving it a new life.
- come into your own
To demonstrate one's abilities or strengths fully and successfully, especially in a particular situation.
• He really came into his own after moving to the sales department.
- be your own person/woman/man
To be independent and make your own decisions, without being controlled by others.
• She didn't want to be controlled by her parents anymore; she wanted to be her own person.
- get your own back (on someone)
To retaliate against someone for an unpleasant action they have taken against you.
• After she declined his promotion, he decided to get his own back on her.
Phrasal Verbs of own
- own up
to acknowledge having committed a mistake or wrongdoing
• Even when faced with skepticism, he decided to own up to his mistakes in the project.