yours
- 1That or those belonging to you, used on its own without a noun following it.
A friend of yours stopped by while you were out.
The final decision is yours, not the committee's.
Note
It stands in for a noun rather than going before one: a friend of yours, the decision is yours. Middle English built it by analogy with his: your plus -s, giving youres, a form that in standard speech displaced yourn. It is first found in the 1300s.
- 2Written at the end of a letter, before the signature, often as part of a closing phrase.
I look forward to hearing from you next week. Yours truly, Margaret Chen.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and a restful summer. Yours always, Dad.
UsageUsually part of a fixed closing such as Yours sincerely or Sincerely yours, with a capital on the first word and a comma after.
- 3The house or home of the person being addressed, especially as a place to meet or visit.
Let's order pizza and watch the game at yours tonight.
I left my charger at yours last night. Can I stop by to grab it?
UsageUsually after at, to or round: stay at yours, come round to yours.
Practice
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Origin
First found in the 1300s as Middle English youres or ȝoures. It was made from "your" plus "-s" (compare -'s) on the model of "his," and in standard speech it pushed out "yourn."