How Do You Spell YOURS?

Pronunciation: [jˈɔːz] (IPA)

The word "yours" is spelled with five letters, but contains three sounds. The first sound is represented by the letter "y," which is pronounced as a voiced palatal approximant (j sound). The second sound is the vowel sound "ao" represented by the letters "ou," which is pronounced as a diphthong, starting with an "ah" sound and ending with an "oo" sound. Finally, the last sound is the voiceless alveolar fricative "s," represented by the letter "s." Together, these sounds make up the word "yours."

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Basic Check Advanced Check

YOURS Meaning and Definition

  1. Yours is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or belonging. It is the second-person singular or plural form of the possessive pronoun "your," which refers to something that belongs to or is associated with the person or people being addressed.

    As a possessive pronoun, "yours" typically follows a noun or a possessive determiner, such as "this" or "that." It functions as a substitute for the noun, indicating that the thing in question belongs to the person or people being addressed. For example, in the sentence "Is this book yours?" the word "yours" is used to inquire whether the book belongs to the person being spoken to.

    In addition to indicating ownership, "yours" can also be used to convey a sense of possession or qualities relating to the person or people being addressed. For instance, the phrase "These achievements are yours to be proud of" suggests that the achievements belong to the person being spoken to, highlighting their involvement or accomplishment.

    Furthermore, "yours" can be used in phrases and greetings to express well-wishes and personal regards. Common examples include "yours truly," which is often used as a closing in letters or emails to express sincerity, and "yours sincerely," a formal expression typically found in business correspondence.

    Overall, "yours" is a versatile pronoun that signifies ownership, possession, or belonging, and can also be used in various social contexts to convey sentiment or politeness.

  2. The possessive plu. of thou; belonging to you; your is used when prefixed to a noun or adjective, as, "this is your book"; and yours when the noun goes before, or is understood, as, "this book is yours".

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for YOURS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for YOURS

Etymology of YOURS

The word "yours" is a pronoun that shows possession or ownership. The origin of "yours" can be traced back to Middle English and Old English. In Old English, the equivalent word was "eower", which was derived from the possessive pronoun "geower" meaning "of you" or "belonging to you". Over time, the pronunciation and spelling evolved, eventually becoming "yours" in Middle English by the 14th century. The term has since remained unchanged in its usage and meaning.

Idioms with the word YOURS

  • you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours The idiom "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" refers to a reciprocal, give-and-take relationship in which two parties help or support each other, expecting a similar favor or assistance in return. It implies a mutually beneficial exchange of favors or assistance, emphasizing the principle of reciprocity.
  • yours truly The idiom "yours truly" is an informal way to refer to oneself, often used to sign off a letter or message. It is another way of saying "me" or "myself."
  • up yours! The idiom "up yours!" is an offensive, vulgar, and impolite expression used to show extreme disrespect, defiance, or anger towards someone. It is meant to insult or offend the person being addressed.
  • Respectfully yours The idiom "respectfully yours" refers to a closing phrase often used in formal letters or emails to show politeness and deference. It is a way of expressing respect and regard towards the recipient of the message, indicating that the sender holds the addressee in high esteem.
  • be yours for the taking The idiom "be yours for the taking" means that something is readily available or accessible to you, and you can easily obtain it or achieve it if you want to. It implies that there are no significant barriers or obstacles preventing you from obtaining or achieving something.
  • What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine. The definition for the idiom "What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine" is: An expression that represents extreme selfishness and possessiveness, indicating that the speaker seeks to take or claim everything belonging to others while refusing to share or give away anything they possess. It conveys a lack of generosity and a self-centered mindset.
  • you and yours The idiom "you and yours" refers to the collective group of people who are important to a person, such as their family or loved ones. It emphasizes a sense of belonging and connection to those individuals who are significant in one's life.
  • if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours The idiom "if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours" refers to a situation or arrangement where two or more people agree to help one another, with each person benefiting from the assistance received. It implies a mutual exchange of favors or cooperation, where one person will do something for the other in return for a similar favor or assistance. The idiom suggests a reciprocal relationship or an understanding of mutual support and cooperation.
  • you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours The idiom "you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours" means that if someone helps or does a favor for you, you should reciprocate by helping or doing a favor for them in return. It implies a mutually beneficial exchange or cooperation where both parties assist each other.
  • all yours The idiom "all yours" typically means that something or someone is completely available, accessible, or under the control or possession of another person. It can also indicate that one person is giving up or relinquishing something to another.
  • I don't fancy yours (much) The idiom "I don't fancy yours (much)" means that one does not find something or someone appealing or attractive. It suggests a lack of interest or preference in comparison to other options.
  • yours ever/ever yours The idiom "yours ever" or "ever yours" is a traditional way of signing off in a letter or message, indicating that the person remains constant, devoted, or loyal to the recipient. It signifies that the sender's feelings and support will endure over time and continue indefinitely.

Similar spelling words for YOURS

Infographic

Correct spelling for Yours
Add the infographic to your website: