What does "our" mean?
Misspelling of are.
Our
/ˈaʊə(ɹ)/ det, verb, slang
det, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Misspelling of are.
- Grammar: our is listed as det, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: our own, our possession, our property, ours.
- Useful contrasts: mon, their, thy.
- Usage evidence: Imagination affects every aspect of our lives.
How to use "our"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "our" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "our" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "our" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "our" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "our" is acting as det, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "our own" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "our", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 Misspelling of are. alt-of, misspelling
"You our the lifeblood of the game and we thank you for everything you do. https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/2022/2022-basketball-england-awards-national-winners-announced/"
Determiner
- 1 Belonging to us, excluding the person(s) being addressed (exclusive our). determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"Sorry, you're not invited to our party."
- 2 Belonging to us, including the person(s) being addressed (inclusive our). determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"We must try to save our marriage for the sake of our children."
- 3 Of, from, or belonging to any entity that the speaker is a part of or identifies with, such as place of employment or education, nation, region, language, etc. determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"Our safety record at ABC Widgets is very good."
- 4 Belonging to people in general. determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"As we get older, our reactions get slower."
- 5 Belonging to everyone being addressed. colloquial, determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"How are we all tonight? Have we got our happy faces on?"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Belonging to an individual being addressed; used especially of a person in the speaker's care, or to whom advice or instruction is being given. colloquial, determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"How are we feeling this morning, Mrs Miggins? Have we taken our tablets yet?"
- 7 Belonging to a third person, especially someone in the speaker's care. colloquial, determiner, first-person, plural, possessive, uncommon
""I've just been to see Mrs Miggins." — "And how is she?" — "Not too good today. We've had a little problem with our tummy.""
- 8 Used to imply connection between the speaker's experiences or activities and a group of listeners. colloquial, determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"Hey guys, in this video I'll show you how I make my upside-down sponge cake. First, let's get our ingredients weighed out."
- 9 Used before a person's name to indicate that the person is in one's family, or is a very close friend. Northern-England, Scotland, determiner, first-person, plural, possessive
"I'm going to see our Terry for tea."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Imagination affects every aspect of our lives."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "our"?
Common synonyms include: our own, our possession, our property, ours, sabicu.
How do you use "our" in a sentence?
Imagination affects every aspect of our lives.
How do you pronounce "our"?
Pronounced /ˈaʊə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
From Middle English oure, from Old English ūre, ūser (“our”), from Proto-Germanic *unseraz (“of us, our”), from Proto-Indo-European *n̥-s-ero- (“our”). Cognate with Scots oor (“our”), West Frisian ús (“our”), Low German uns (“our”), Dutch onze (“our”), German unser, unsere (“our”) Danish vor (“our”), Norwegian vår (“our”), and more distantly Latin noster.