Our: meaning, definitions and examples

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our

[ ˈaʊər ]

Pronoun / Determiner / Noun

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Pronoun}

in general

belonging to or associated with the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified.

Synonyms

ourselves.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
our	Use 'our' to show possession when something belongs to a group of people that includes the speaker. It's suitable for a wide range of formal and informal situations. This is our house Our team won the game
ourselves	Use 'ourselves' when the subject and the object of the verb are the same group of people that includes the speaker. It can also be used for emphasis or to reflect on a group action. We taught ourselves to play the guitar We have to protect ourselves

Word

Description / Examples

our

Use 'our' to show possession when something belongs to a group of people that includes the speaker. It's suitable for a wide range of formal and informal situations.

This is our house
Our team won the game

ourselves

Use 'ourselves' when the subject and the object of the verb are the same group of people that includes the speaker. It can also be used for emphasis or to reflect on a group action.

We taught ourselves to play the guitar
We have to protect ourselves

Examples of usage

our house is just down the road
our team won the championship

^{Context #2 | Determiner}

possession

used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified.

Examples of usage

our cat is very playful
our parents are coming to visit

^{Context #3 | Noun}

history

a title or form of address given to a reigning monarch.

Examples of usage

our Queen Elizabeth II

Translations

Translations of the word "our" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nosso

🇮🇳 हमारा

🇩🇪 unser

🇮🇩 kita

🇺🇦 наш

🇵🇱 nasz

🇯🇵 私たちの (watashitachi no)

🇫🇷 notre

🇪🇸 nuestro

🇹🇷 bizim

🇰🇷 우리의 (uri-ui)

🇸🇦 لنا

🇨🇿 náš

🇸🇰 náš

🇨🇳 我们的 (wǒmen de)

🇸🇮 naš

🇮🇸 okkar

🇰🇿 біздің

🇬🇪 ჩვენი

🇦🇿 bizim

🇲🇽 nuestro

Etymology

The word 'our' originated from Middle English 'oure', which came from Old English 'ūre', ultimately deriving from the Proto-Germanic word 'unser'. It has been used in English for centuries to indicate possession or association with a group of people. The pronoun 'our' is essential in English grammar to show possession or belonging in a collective sense.