English dictionary

of Meaning & Definition

-ɒv

What Does Of Mean?

Of is used as a preposition meaning Expressing distance or motion. From (a place); off. It is also used to mean From (a place); off. As a verb, it means Eye dialect spelling of have and 've, chiefly in depictions of colloquial speech. As a verb, it means To possess, own.

Of at a Glance

Part of speech	preposition, verb
Pronunciation	/-ɒv/
Syllables	1
Synonyms	have one's way with, sleep with and take

Of Definition (Preposition)

Expressing distance or motion. From (a place); off.
Take the chicken out of the freezer.
From (a place); off.
Take the chicken out of the freezer.
Since, from (a given time, earlier state etc.).
He hasn't been well of late.
From, away from (a position, number, distance etc.).
There are no shops within twenty miles of the cottage.
Expressing separation. Indicating removal, absence or separation, with the action indicated by a transitive verb and the quality or substance by a grammatical object.
Finally she was relieved of the burden of caring for her sick husband.
Indicating removal, absence or separation, with the action indicated by a transitive verb and the quality or substance by a grammatical object.
Finally she was relieved of the burden of caring for her sick husband.
Indicating removal, absence or separation, with resulting state indicated by an adjective.
He seemed devoid of human feelings.
Indicating removal, absence or separation, construed with an intransitive verb.
Expressing origin. Indicating an ancestral source or origin of descent.
The word is believed to be of Japanese origin.
Indicating an ancestral source or origin of descent.
The word is believed to be of Japanese origin.
Introducing an epithet that indicates a birthplace, residence, dominion, or other place associated with the individual.
Jesus of Nazareth (after hometown)
Indicating a (non-physical) source of action or emotion; introducing a cause, instigation; from, out of, as an expression of.
The invention was born of necessity.
Indicates the source or cause of the verb.
It is said that she died of a broken heart.
Indicates the subject or cause of the adjective.
I am tired of all this nonsense.
Expressing agency. Indicates the agent (for most verbs, now usually expressed with by).
I am not particularly enamoured of this idea.
Indicates the agent (for most verbs, now usually expressed with by).
I am not particularly enamoured of this idea.
Used to introduce the "subjective genitive"; following a noun to form the head of a postmodifying noun phrase (see also 'Possession' senses below).
The contract can be terminated at any time with the agreement of both parties.
Used to indicate the agent of something described by the adjective.
It was very brave of you to speak out like that.
Expressing composition, substance. Used to indicate the material or substance used.
Many 'corks' are now actually made of plastic.
Used to indicate the material or substance used.
Many 'corks' are now actually made of plastic.
Used to indicate the material of the just-mentioned object.
She wore a dress of silk.
Indicating the composition of a given collective or quantitative noun.
I'll have a dozen of those apples, please.
Used to link a given class of things with a specific example of that class.
Germany's formal name is the Federal Republic of Germany.
Links two nouns in near-apposition, with the first qualifying the second; "which is also".
I'm not driving this wreck of a car.
Introducing subject matter. Links an intransitive verb, or a transitive verb and its subject (especially verbs to do with thinking, feeling, expressing etc.), with its subject-matter; concerning, with regard to.
I'm always thinking of you.
Links an intransitive verb, or a transitive verb and its subject (especially verbs to do with thinking, feeling, expressing etc.), with its subject-matter; concerning, with regard to.
I'm always thinking of you.
Introduces its subject matter; about, concerning.
He told us the story of his journey to India.
Introduces its subject matter.
This behaviour is typical of teenagers.
Having partitive effect. Introduces the whole for which is indicated only the specified part or segment; "from among".
Most of these apples are rotten.
Introduces the whole for which is indicated only the specified part or segment; "from among".
Most of these apples are rotten.
Indicates a given part.
We want a larger slice of the cake.
Some, an amount of, one of.
On the whole, they seem to be of the decent sort.
Links to a genitive noun or possessive pronoun, with partitive effect (though now often merged with possessive senses, below; see also double possessive).
He is a friend of mine.
Expressing possession. Belonging to, existing in, or taking place in a given location, place or time. Compare "origin" senses, above.
He was perhaps the most famous scientist of the twentieth century.
Belonging to, existing in, or taking place in a given location, place or time. Compare "origin" senses, above.
He was perhaps the most famous scientist of the twentieth century.
Belonging to (a place) through having title, ownership or control over it.
The owner of the nightclub was arrested.
Belonging to (someone or something) as something they possess or have as a characteristic; the "possessive genitive". (With abstract nouns, this intersects with the subjective genitive, above under "agency" senses.)
Keep the handle of the saucepan away from the flames.
Forming the "objective genitive". Follows an agent noun, verbal noun or noun of action.
She had a profound distrust of the police.
Follows an agent noun, verbal noun or noun of action.
She had a profound distrust of the police.
Expressing qualities or characteristics. Links an adjective with a noun or noun phrase to form a quasi-adverbial qualifier; in respect to, as regards.
My companion seemed affable and easy of manner.
Links an adjective with a noun or noun phrase to form a quasi-adverbial qualifier; in respect to, as regards.
My companion seemed affable and easy of manner.
Indicates a quality or characteristic; "characterized by".
Pooh was said to be a bear of very little brain.
Indicates quantity, age, price, etc.
A young man of 20 has been paying interest at an exorbitant rate of 10%.
Used to link singular indefinite nouns (preceded by the indefinite article) and attributive adjectives modified by certain common adverbs of degree.
It's not that big of a deal. (Standard form: It's not that big a deal.)
Expressing a point in time. During the course of (a set period of time, day of the week etc.), now specifically with implied repetition or regularity.
Of an evening, we would often go for a stroll along the river.
During the course of (a set period of time, day of the week etc.), now specifically with implied repetition or regularity.
Of an evening, we would often go for a stroll along the river.
For (a given length of time).
I’ve not taken her out of a goodly long while.
Indicates duration of a state, activity etc.
After a delay of three hours, the plane finally took off.
Before (the hour); to (the hour).
I’ll be ready at ten of two
Often used without the hour.
I’ll be ready at ten of

Of as a Verb

Eye dialect spelling of have and 've, chiefly in depictions of colloquial speech.

Preposition

Expressing distance or motion.
Expressing separation.
Expressing origin.
Expressing agency.
Expressing composition, substance.
Introducing subject matter.
Having partitive effect.
Expressing possession.
Forming the "objective genitive".
Expressing qualities or characteristics.
Expressing a point in time.

Verb

To possess, own.
I have a house and a car.
To hold, as something at someone's disposal.
Do you have the key? (not necessarily one's own key)
Used to state the existence or presence of someone in a specified relationship with the subject.
I have a really mean boss.
To partake of (a particular substance, especially food or drink, or action or activity).
Can I have a look at that?
To be scheduled to attend, undertake or participate in.
Fred won't be able to come to the party; he has a meeting that day.
To experience, go through, undergo.
He had surgery on his hip yesterday.
To be afflicted with, suffer from.
He had a cold last week.
(auxiliary verb, taking a past participle) Used in forming the perfect aspect.
I had already eaten.
Used as an interrogative verb before a pronoun to form a tag question, echoing a previous use of 'have' as an auxiliary verb or, in certain cases, main verb. (For further discussion, see the appendix English tag questions.)
They haven't eaten dinner yet, have they?
(auxiliary verb, taking a to-infinitive) See have to.
I have to go.
To give birth to.
My mother had me when she was 25.
To engage in sexual intercourse with.
He's always bragging about how many women he's had.
To accept as a romantic partner.
Despite my protestations of love, she would not have me.
(transitive with bare infinitive) To cause to, by a command, request or invitation.
They had me feed their dog while they were out of town.
(transitive with adjective or adjective-phrase complement) To cause to be.
He had him arrested for trespassing.
(transitive with bare infinitive) To be affected by an occurrence. (Used in supplying a topic that is not a verb argument.)
I've had three people today tell me my hair looks nice.
(transitive with adjective or adjective-phrase complement) To depict as being.
Their stories differed; he said he'd been at work when the incident occurred, but her statement had him at home that entire evening.
To defeat in a fight; take.
I could have him!
(obsolete outside Ireland) To be able to speak (a language).
I have no German.
To feel or be (especially painfully) aware of.
Dan certainly has arms today, probably from scraping paint off four columns the day before.
To trick, to deceive.
You had me alright! I never would have thought that was just a joke.
(often with present participle) To allow; to tolerate.
I asked my dad if I could go to the concert this Thursday, but he wouldn't have it since it's a school night.
(often used in the negative) To believe, buy, be taken in by.
I made up an excuse as to why I was out so late, but my wife wasn't having any of it.
To host someone; to take in as a guest.
Thank you for having me!
To get a reading, measurement, or result from an instrument or calculation.
I have two contacts on my scope.
(of a jury) To consider a court proceeding that has been completed; to begin deliberations on a case.
We'll schedule closing arguments for Thursday, and the jury will have the case by that afternoon.
To make an observation of (a bird species).

Synonyms of Of

have one's way withsleep withtake

Of synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Of

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Of in a Sentence

Take the chicken out of the freezer.

He hasn't been well of late.

There are no shops within twenty miles of the cottage.

Finally she was relieved of the burden of caring for her sick husband.

He seemed devoid of human feelings.

The word is believed to be of Japanese origin.

Jesus of Nazareth (after hometown)

Anselm of Canterbury (after diocese)

Anselm of Aosta (after birthplace)

Anselm of Bec (after monastery)

Pedro II of Brazil (after dominion)

Mrs Miggins of Gasworks Road, Mudchester (after place of residence)

The invention was born of necessity.

It is said that she died of a broken heart.

I am tired of all this nonsense.

I am not particularly enamoured of this idea.

The contract can be terminated at any time with the agreement of both parties.

It was very brave of you to speak out like that.

Many 'corks' are now actually made of plastic.

She wore a dress of silk.

I'll have a dozen of those apples, please.

What a lot of nonsense!

Germany's formal name is the Federal Republic of Germany.

Welcome to the historic town of Harwich.

I'm not driving this wreck of a car.

I'm always thinking of you.

He told us the story of his journey to India.

This behaviour is typical of teenagers.

Most of these apples are rotten.

We want a larger slice of the cake.

On the whole, they seem to be of the decent sort.

He is a friend of mine.

He was perhaps the most famous scientist of the twentieth century.

The owner of the nightclub was arrested.

Keep the handle of the saucepan away from the flames.

She had a profound distrust of the police.

My companion seemed affable and easy of manner.

Pooh was said to be a bear of very little brain.

A young man of 20 has been paying interest at an exorbitant rate of 10%.

It's not that big of a deal. (Standard form: It's not that big a deal.)

Of an evening, we would often go for a stroll along the river.

I’ve not taken her out of a goodly long while.

After a delay of three hours, the plane finally took off.

I’ll be ready at ten of two

What's the time? / Nearly a quarter of three.

I'll be ready by five of noon.

I’ll be ready at ten of

I have a house and a car.

Do you have the key? (not necessarily one's own key)

I have a really mean boss.

Can I have a look at that?

Fred won't be able to come to the party; he has a meeting that day.

He had surgery on his hip yesterday.

He had a cold last week.

I had already eaten.

They haven't eaten dinner yet, have they?

I have to go.

My mother had me when she was 25.

He's always bragging about how many women he's had.

Despite my protestations of love, she would not have me.

They had me feed their dog while they were out of town.

He had him arrested for trespassing.

I've had three people today tell me my hair looks nice.

Their stories differed; he said he'd been at work when the incident occurred, but her statement had him at home that entire evening.

I could have him!

I have no German.

Dan certainly has arms today, probably from scraping paint off four columns the day before.

You had me alright! I never would have thought that was just a joke.

I asked my dad if I could go to the concert this Thursday, but he wouldn't have it since it's a school night.

I made up an excuse as to why I was out so late, but my wife wasn't having any of it.

Thank you for having me!

I have two contacts on my scope.

We'll schedule closing arguments for Thursday, and the jury will have the case by that afternoon.

Word Forms & Grammar

Words That Rhyme With Of

love shove puppy love above calf love dove glovelabor of lovein lovemake lovethereoffree lovehand in glove foxglove mourning dovebrotherly lovegov cupboard love boxing gloverock dovecourtly lovefall in lovekid glove baseball glovehand and glovelabour of lovebatting glove common foxglove golf glove belove

Origin of Of

Origin 1: From Middle English of, from Old English of (“from, out of, off”), an unstressed form of æf, from Proto-West Germanic *ab, from Proto-Germanic *ab (“away; away from”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó (“away”). Doublet of off, which is the stressed descendant of the same Old English word. More at off.