our
- 1Belonging to me and other people, or to a group I am part of.
You are not invited to our party.
Our team beat yours last week.
UsageSay our house and it's ours (not
incorrect: our's).Note
- 2Belonging to people in general, including everyone.
As we get older, our eyesight gets weaker.
Our brains need sleep to work well.
- 3Used by a speaker to include listeners in what they are doing.
"First, we chop our onions," the TV cook said.
"Watch closely as we fold our paper into a bird," the man in the video said.
UsageOften used with we or let's: let's get our ingredients ready.
Note
Less common meanings
- 4Used by nurses, carers or teachers to mean your, his or her, which can sound like talking down.
Have we taken our medicine today, Mr. Jones?
"Let's get our shoes on now, Sam," his mom said.
UsageWith adults, say your instead.
Note
- 5Used before a name in northern Britain to show the person is family or a very close friend.
I'm going round to see our Sharon.
Our Jack starts school next week.
Note
- 6Used by a king or queen instead of my when speaking or writing in an official way.
"It is our wish that every child in the kingdom should learn to read," the queen announced.
"We give you this land as our gift," the old king told the knight.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English ūre, meaning "our." It goes back to an old Germanic word.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Our descends from Old English ūre, meaning 'our'. en.wiktionary.org
- The word has an earlier Germanic ancestor. en.wiktionary.org