What does "ours" mean?
That or those belonging to us.; Excluding the person(s) being addressed (exclusive ours)
Ours
/ˈaʊəz/ pron, slang
pron, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That or those belonging to us.; Excluding the person(s) being addressed (exclusive ours)
- Grammar: ours is listed as pron, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: belonging to us, our, us history.
- Useful contrasts: belong to someone, mine, theirs.
- Usage evidence: Your team is stronger than ours.
How to use "ours"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ours" 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 "ours" 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 "ours" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "ours" 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 "ours" is acting as pron, 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 "belonging to us" 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 "ours", 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
Pronoun
- 1 That or those belonging to us.; Excluding the person(s) being addressed (exclusive ours)
"You can't take that! It's ours!"
- 2 That or those belonging to us.; Including the person(s) being addressed (inclusive ours).
"We should ask for it back. After all, it is ours."
- 3 That or those 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.
"French food is better than ours."
- 4 That or those belonging to people in general.
"As we get older, maintaining an active social life should be a priority of ours."
- 5 That or those belonging to everyone being addressed. colloquial
"Good evening everyone. How are we all tonight? I know I've got my happy face on; have we all got ours on too?"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 That or those belonging to an individual being addressed; used especially to a person in the speaker's care, or to whom advice or instruction is being given. colloquial
"Hello Mrs Miggins. How are we feeling this morning? Oh, what's that bottle of tablets under our chair? Is that ours?"
- 7 Used to imply connection between the speaker's experiences or activities and a group of listeners. colloquial
"Hey guys, in this video I'll show you how I make my upside-down sponge cake. There are lots of recipes for these, but ours is the best."
- 8 Our house or home. informal
"You can stay the night at ours if you like."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Your team is stronger than ours."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ours"?
Common synonyms include: belonging to us, our, us history.
How do you use "ours" in a sentence?
Your team is stronger than ours.
How do you pronounce "ours"?
Pronounced /ˈaʊəz/.
Etymology
From Middle English oures, attested since the 1300s. Equivalent to our + -s (compare -'s); formed by analogy to his. Displaced ourn (from Middle English ouren) in standard speech.