(one's)
|one|
/wʌnz/
(one)
single unit
Etymology
'one' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ān', where Proto-Germanic '*ainaz' meant 'one, single'.
'one' changed from Old English word 'ān', which came from Proto-Germanic '*ainaz' and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning 'one', eventually becoming the modern English word 'one'.
Initially it meant 'single, one'; over time it also developed the impersonal/pronominal sense (referring to people in general) and therefore the possessive form 'one's'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Pronoun 1
the possessive form of the pronoun 'one', used after verbs or prepositions to refer back to a previously mentioned or general person (something belonging to someone).
One should be true to one's principles.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/05 18:56