own
own
Pronunciation
/oʊn/
oʊn:
/oʊ/ - a diphthong similar to the "oh" in "go"
/n/ - a voiced alveolar nasal consonant
Word Form Variations
Verbs:
Base form: own
Third-person singular simple present: owns
Present participle: owning
Simple past: owned
Past participle: owned
Adjectives:
own (used as a possessive adjective)
Pronouns:
own (used in reflexive or emphatic constructions like "my own," "his own")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To possess something, indicating a right of possession or title over it.
Synonyms: possess, have, hold, keep, command
Antonyms: lack, want, forfeit, relinquish, surrender
To acknowledge or admit something, especially a fault, responsibility, or authorship.
Synonyms: admit, confess, acknowledge, concede, avow
Antonyms: deny, disavow, repudiate, reject, gainsay
Adjective
Belonging to a particular person or thing; indicating possession or close relationship. (Often used for emphasis after a possessive pronoun or noun)
Synonyms: personal, individual, private, peculiar, particular
Antonyms: shared, common, public, borrowed, alien
Pronoun
Used with a possessive adjective (e.g., "my own," "your own") or a possessive noun (e.g., "John's own") to emphasize that something belongs to or is done by the person or thing specified.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms as it functions as an intensifier of possession)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it functions as an intensifier of possession)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He always said it was important to be true to your own self, even when it was difficult." (From a review of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The New York Times Book Review, February 2024)
"The protagonist must confront her own fears to save her family." (From a literary analysis of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Literary Hub, March 2023)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted to own and operate the new public transportation system, aiming for greater efficiency." (The Guardian)
"In a surprising turn, the politician was forced to own up to past mistakes after new evidence emerged." (The Washington Post)
Online Publications:
"Many artists are now choosing to release music on their own independent labels." (Pitchfork)
"How to build your own sustainable garden at home." (Treehugger.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show (Dialogue): "You have to take ownership of your actions, no matter the consequences." (From a popular legal drama series, quoted in a fan forum, October 2024)
Song Title: "My Own Worst Enemy" (A well-known song by Lit, played frequently on classic rock radio, various dates)
Movie Review: "The director manages to create a world entirely his own, captivating audiences from start to finish." (Rotten Tomatoes, November 2024)
Podcast: "In this episode, we explore what it truly means to own your narrative." (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Podcast, September 2024)
Video Game: "Players can build and customize their own virtual properties in this new online world." (Review of SimCity 6, IGN, July 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to get my own car before I can commute to the new job." (Overheard in a casual conversation)
"It's important for young people to find their own voice." (From a commencement speech, reported on a university's social media)
"Do you own any pets?" (Common question asked in social settings, various dates)
10 Quotes Using the Term Eagle
"The eagle has no fear of adversity. We need to be like the eagle and have a fearless spirit of a conqueror!" – Joyce Meyer
"You cannot fly like an eagle with the wings of a wren." – William Henry Hudson
"The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers." – Gladys Aylward
"Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat." – Elizabeth Bowen
"The eagle may soar; beavers build dams." – Bill Vaughan
"Eagles come in all shapes and sizes, but you will recognize them chiefly by their attitudes." – E. F. Schumacher
"When you soar like an eagle, you attract the hunters." – Milton S. Gould
"Like an eagle, we must fly in the open skies to truly live in freedom." – Danika Stone
"It is not the eagle who flies the highest who sees the farthest, but the one who flies steady and sure." – Wendy Van Eyck
"Don't quack like a duck, soar like an eagle." – Ken Blanchard
Etymology
The word "own" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to Old English, which was spoken before the year 1150.
Originally, "own" started out as an adjective in Old English, where it was spelled "āgen." It essentially meant "possessed by" or "proper to oneself." Think of it like saying "my own book" – it's my book, belonging to me. This "āgen" was actually the past participle of an even older verb, "āgan," which meant "to possess" or "to have." This "āgan" is also the root of the word "owe" today, which is pretty cool!
Later on, still in the Old English period, people started using a new verb form, "āgnian" or "āhnian," which came directly from that adjective "āgen." This new verb meant "to own" or "to possess" something.
So, in simple terms, the word "own" began as an adjective showing that something belonged to someone, and then a verb developed from that adjective to describe the act of possessing something. The core idea of possession and belonging has been there right from the start!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Own
To hold one's own: To maintain one's position or capabilities in a challenging situation.
To come into one's own: To develop and become successful or effective.
To get one's own back: To get revenge on someone.
To paddle one's own canoe: To be independent and self-reliant.
To blow one's own trumpet: To boast about one's own achievements.
On one's own: Alone; by oneself.
Of one's own accord: Voluntarily; without being asked or forced.
To cut off one's nose to spite one's face: To harm oneself out of anger or stubbornness. (Uses a possessive form, fitting the spirit of "own")
To stand on one's own two feet: To be independent and self-sufficient.
To look after one's own: To take care of one's family, friends, or interests.
To have an agenda of one's own: To have a secret motive or plan.
To be one's own boss: To be self-employed or in control of one's work.
To own up to (something): To admit to doing something wrong.
To own the room: To command attention and dominate a social setting.
Your own worst enemy: A person who causes most of their own problems.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of own from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.