Owner Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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owner

[หˆษ™สŠnษ™r ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

property

A person who owns something.

Synonyms

holder, possessor, proprietor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
owner

This word is common in everyday language and is used to refer to someone who has legal rights to a property, object, company, etc.

  • She is the owner of a beautiful house in the countryside.
  • The dog ran back to its owner after playing in the park.
proprietor

This word is more formal and typically used in business contexts to refer to the owner of a business, store, or other establishment.

  • He is the proprietor of a well-known restaurant downtown.
  • The proprietor must ensure the safety of their customers.
possessor

This term is often used in legal or formal contexts to talk about someone who owns something. It can also carry a connotation of controlling or mastering something intangible, like skills or qualities.

  • The possessor of this land must pay the property taxes.
  • She is a possessor of remarkable skills in negotiation.
holder

Use this term when referring to someone who possesses something temporarily, often in the context of documents or tickets.

  • The ticket holder must show their seat number on arrival.
  • He is the current record holder for the 100 meters sprint.

Examples of usage

  • The owner of the house decided to sell it.
  • The owner of the company is a successful entrepreneur.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In law, being an owner often grants certain rights and responsibilities over the property.
  • Ownership can be disputed in court, leading to legal battles over who has the right to something.

Economics

  • Owners of businesses are crucial as they make decisions that can affect the economy.
  • Ownership stake in a company can also mean having a part of its profits and losses.

Animal Welfare

  • Pet ownership comes with the responsibility to care for and provide for the animalโ€™s needs.
  • Studies show that being a pet owner can improve mental wellbeing and companionship.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, land ownership is tightly linked to social status and power.
  • Art ownership, especially of famous pieces, can lead to debates about cultural heritage and restitution.

Origin of 'owner'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'ฤgen', meaning 'to own' or 'possess'.
  • Its roots can be traced back to Proto-Germanic '*eignล', signifying ownership or possession.

The word 'owner' originated from the Old English word 'ฤgenฤ', which means 'one who has the legal right of possession'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to someone who has legal rights to something. The concept of ownership has been essential in various societies throughout history, shaping laws and economic systems.


See also: disown, own, ownerless, owners, owning, unowned.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,261, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.