Ours

Definition

Ours is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or association with a group that includes the speaker. It functions independently and does not require a following noun.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /aʊrz/, /ɑrz/
• Respelling: OW-rz, ARZ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /aʊəz/, /aʊrz/
• Respelling: OW-uhz, OW-rz

Etymology

The word "ours" originates from Old English "ūre," meaning "of us" or "our." It evolved from Proto-Germanic "*unsara," which also led to similar forms in other Germanic languages. Its modern form emerged in Middle English, solidifying its use as a possessive pronoun.

Derivatives

• Ourselves (reflexive pronoun)
• Ours-like (adjective, rare)
• Ourselves-ness (noun, rare, humorous)
• Unours (opposite form, nonstandard, poetic)
• Oursish (adjective, rare, informal)

Synonyms

• Belonging to us
• Ourselves
• None

Antonyms

• Theirs
• Yours
• None

Usage

The term "ours" is used to denote possession or belonging. For example, "The house is ours" or "The victory was ours to claim."

Related Terms

• Mine: Indicates singular possession.
• Yours: Denotes possession by the person or people being addressed.
• Theirs: Indicates possession by others.

Detailed Definitions

Pronoun

• Used to indicate possession by a group including the speaker: Refers to something belonging to "us."
  • Example: "This car is ours, not theirs."
• Functions independently without a following noun: Replaces the possessive determiner and the noun it modifies.
  • Example: "The decision is ours."