What does our mean?
Our is a possessive word that identifies something belonging to, associated with, or concerning the speaker, the hearer, or a group that includes both them. Before a noun, it functions as a possessive determiner: “our house” indicates that the house belongs to or is associated with that group. Standing alone, it means “belonging to us”: “The choice is ours.” The word is highly common and largely neutral in tone, though its exact implications depend on context. Saying “our country” can express personal connection and shared identity, while “our suggestion” can present an idea as one jointly favored by the speaker and others. In ordinary standard English, “our” is not normally placed before an article such as “a” or “the”; “ours” is used instead when no following noun is present. Although it has no plural form of its own, its possessive sense can refer to multiple people because the group included by the pronoun may contain more than one person.
Belonging to, associated with, or concerning the speaker, the hearer, or a group including both.
"Our proposal is now ready for review."
Used before a noun and not normally before an article or another possessive determiner.
Used independently to mean “belonging to us.”
"The final decision is ours."
When no following noun is present, “ours” is normally preferred in formal and informal standard English.
The word “our” quietly expands a conversation from one person to a shared group: what is mine, yours, or theirs can become ours.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does our come from?
Our comes from Old English ure, the genitive form of the first-person plural pronoun we, meaning “of us” or “belonging to us.” Middle English developed several forms, including oure and ure, before the modern form our became standard. Its possessive function reflects the older grammatical practice of expressing possession through a genitive ending attached directly to the personal pronoun.
How our is actually used
In standard modern English, “our” is a possessive determiner used before a noun, as in “our journey,” or a standalone possessive pronoun, as in “our decision.” It is not normally used before an article, and “ours” is generally preferred when no noun follows.
Easily confused with our
“Our” is the possessive form used before a noun or as a pronoun, while “out” means away from an interior or no longer inside.