Yours

Definition

Yours is a pronoun used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with the person or people being addressed.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jʊrz/ or /jɔrz/
• Respelling: YURZ or YAWRZ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jɔːz/ or /jʊəz/
• Respelling: YAWZ or YOU-uhz

Etymology

The word "yours" originates from Old English "ēower," the possessive form of "gē" (you). It developed into "yours" in Middle English as the possessive pronoun to indicate ownership or association.

Derivatives

• Yourselves (pronoun)
• Yours truly (expression)
• Sincerely yours (expression)
• Unyours (rare, informal)
• Forever yours (expression)

Synonyms

• Belonging to you
• Owned by you
• Your own

Antonyms

• Mine
• Theirs
• None

Usage

The pronoun "yours" is commonly used to express possession or association. For example: "This book is yours." It is also used formally in closings of letters, e.g., "Yours sincerely."

Related Terms

• Your: A possessive determiner indicating ownership.
• Ours: A pronoun indicating collective ownership.
• Theirs: A pronoun indicating third-person ownership.

Detailed Definitions

Pronoun

• Indicating ownership or association with the person addressed: Refers to something that belongs to or is connected with the person being spoken to.
  • Example: "Is this jacket yours?"
• Used formally as a closing in letters: Indicates politeness or respect in correspondence.
  • Example: "Yours sincerely, John."