own

Universal Words adjective, pronoun, verb adjective, pronoun 1 used to emphasize that sth belongs to or is connected with sb: It was her own idea. * I saw it with my own eyes (= I didn't hear about it from somebody else). * Is the car your own? * Your day off is your own (= you can spend it as you wish). * Our children are grown up and have children of their own. * For reasons of his own (= particular reasons that perhaps only he knew about), he refused to join the club. * The accident happened through no fault of her own. * He wants to come into the business on his own terms. * I need a room of my own. * I have my very own room at last. HELPNOTE Own cannot be used after an article: I need my own room. * _I_ _n_e_e_d_ _a_n_ _o_w_n_ _r_o_o_m_. * It's good to have your own room. * _I_t_'_s_ _g_o_o_d_ _t_o_ _h_a_v_e_ _t_h_e_ _o_w_n_ _r_o_o_m_. 2 done or produced by and for yourself: She makes all her own clothes. * He has to cook his own meals. IDIOMS come into your / its own to have the opportunity to show how good or useful you are or sth is: When the traffic's this bad, a bicycle really comes into its own. get your own back (on sb) (informal) to do sth to sb in return for harm they have done to you; to get REVENGE: I'll get my own back on him one day, I swear! hold your own (against sb/sth) (in sth) to remain in a strong position when sb is attacking you, competing with you, etc: Business isn't good but we're managing to hold our own. * She can hold her own against anybody in an argument. * The patient is holding her own although she is still very sick. (all) on your own 1 alone; without anyone else: I'm all on my own today. * She lives on her own. 2 without help: He did it on his own. moreatMINDn., SAKE, SOUNDn. verb (not used in the progressive tenses) 1 [VN] to have sth that belongs to you, especially because you have bought it: Do you own your house or do you rent it? * I don't own anything of any value. * Most of the apartments are privately owned. * an American owned company * Does anyone own this coat? It was left in a classroom. * Don't tell me what to do-you don't own me! 2 ~ to sth / to doing sth (old-fashioned) to admit that sth is true: [V] He owned to a feeling of guilt. * [V(that)] She owned (that) she had been present. IDIOMS behave / act as if you own the place