ona
C2 (Essential, Very High Frequency)Neutral. Used across all registers from informal conversation to formal legal and academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To possess; to have something as property.
To acknowledge or admit something (especially a fact or feeling); to take responsibility for something; to be in control of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, 'own' has a stative sense (possess) and a dynamic sense (confess, take control). The adjective/pronoun form is often used for emphasis or to denote something particular to an individual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meaning. The phrase 'come into one's own' is slightly more common in BrE. The reflexive use 'to own oneself' is very rare in both.
Connotations
In business contexts, 'to own a problem/issue' (take responsibility) is equally common. 'Own goal' (a metaphorical mistake) originates from BrE sports commentary but is now widely used.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] own [NP]own up to [NP/V-ing]own [that]-clauseown [NP] as [AdjP/NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come into one's own”
- “hold one's own”
- “on one's own”
- “own up”
- “a man after my own heart”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company is looking to own the entire supply chain." (control)
Academic
"The study owns its limitations in the methodology section." (acknowledges)
Everyday
"I finally own my own flat!" (possess)
Technical
"The process owns the allocated memory until it is terminated." (has exclusive control over)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He owns a terrace house in Bristol.
- She owned that she had made a mistake.
- You need to own your decisions.
American English
- They own a condo in Chicago.
- He owned up to breaking the window.
- The team owned the fourth quarter.
adverb
British English
- I prefer to work on my own.
- She built the shed all on her own.
American English
- He lived on his own for years.
- You did this on your own?
adjective
British English
- I need my own space.
- She baked it with her own two hands.
- It has its own unique charm.
American English
- Do you have your own car?
- He made it his own.
- Each state has its own laws.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have my own room.
- Do you own a bicycle?
- They finally own their own home.
- He made the recipe his own.
- You should own your successes.
- The artist really came into her own with this exhibition.
- The software owns the file until it is closed.
- I own that my first reaction was wrong.
- The minister was forced to own the policy's failure.
- The start-up aims to own the niche market for sustainable packaging.
- He holds his own in any philosophical debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sign on a house: "I OWN this HOME." Both 'own' and 'home' contain the 'own' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSSESSION IS CONTROL (e.g., 'own the narrative', 'own the podium'); RESPONSIBILITY IS POSSESSION (e.g., 'own your mistakes').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'own' as 'свой' in every context (e.g., 'on his own' ≠ 'на свой').
- "To own up" is an idiom meaning to confess, not just to possess something upwards.
- The adjective 'own' requires a possessive pronoun (my own, your own), unlike Russian.
Common Mistakes
- *I own a dog and a cat very much. (Don't use 'very much' with stative 'own').
- *This is mine own book. (Redundant: use 'my own book' or 'my book').
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The CEO owned the disappointing results', what does 'owned' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Own' implies legal possession or title. 'Have' is more general (e.g., 'I have a idea' vs. 'I own a patent'). You 'have' time, but you 'own' a watch.
Rarely. It's a transitive verb. However, in the phrase 'own up', it functions intransitively (e.g., 'He finally owned up').
No. The adjective 'own' must always be preceded by a possessive determiner (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) or a noun in the possessive case (e.g., "Sarah's own car").
It has two main meanings: 1) alone ('I live on my own'), and 2) without help ('I built it on my own').