26984 words

owns

14 definitions • 33 examples
1
belonging to or done by a particular person or thing:

Examples:

Each neighbourhood in New York has its own characteristics.
I'd like to have my very own apartment.
He wanted an apartment of his own.
She makes all her own clothes.
I'm going to be out tonight, so you'll have to make your own dinner (= prepare it yourself).
Was that your own idea or did someone suggest it to you?
You'll have to make up your own mind (= decide by yourself) what you want to do.
I'd never have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes/heard it with my own ears.
"Is that your mum's car?" "No, it's my own (= it belongs to me)."
James Joyce wrote in a style that was all his own (= that was not like that of anyone else).
We like to take care of our own (= take care of people who are members of our family, or who work for us).
2
alone:

Examples:

I like living on my own.
3
without any help:

Examples:

I did my buttons up all on my own, Dad .
4
If you do something in your own time, you do it at the speed at which you want to work:

Examples:

I like to do things in my own time - I don't like to be rushed.
5
during the time when you are not officially working:

Examples:

You may only use company computers to access the Web in your own time.
6
to have something that legally belongs to you:

Examples:

We own our house.
I've never owned a suit in my life.
7
to admit:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] I own (that) I was not very happy with the group's decision.
8
to defeat someone completely or be much better than him or her; to perform extremely well:

Examples:

Last time we played them, we owned them!
Beyoncé owned that stage tonight!
9
to accept and be responsible for something:

Examples:

It's your life - own it.
I own who I was, and so I’m always open to admitting fault and talking through it.
10
belonging to or done by a particular person or thing:

Examples:

Mary has her own car.
You’ll have to fix your own dinner.
The police testified that the woman left of her own accord (= she chose to do it without being forced).
11
to have or possess something:

Examples:

We own some property in Texas.
12
to have something that legally belongs to you:

Examples:

He has owned the business since 1995.
The group owns assets worth $620 million.
This gave many people the opportunity to own their own home for the first time.
13
to accept responsibility for something such as an idea:

Examples:

For the reorganization to work, employees need to own the idea of change.
14
belonging or relating to a particular person rather than to other people:

Examples:

She started her own business selling cameras.
The software helps you create your own website.
He invested €5 million of his own money.

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