Of Meaning and Definition
Of
Pronunciation
/ɒv/
Part of Speech
Preposition
Definition
Of is a preposition that indicates a relationship of possession, origin, or description between a noun or pronoun and something else. It expresses the idea that something belongs to or is associated with something else, such as “That is my phone of the office.”
Examples
1. “I am the owner of a car.”
2. “The hotel is located near the beach of the island.”
Synonyms
1. Belonging to
2. Pertaining to
Antonyms
1. Not belonging to
2. Independent of
Additional Information
Of is often used in phrases to indicate the relationship between two things, such as “of the”, “of which”, “on the of which”, or “the of which”. It can also be used in idiomatic expressions, such as “of no account”, “of one’s own accord”, or “on of occasion”. In terms of usage, “of” is one of the most commonly used prepositions in the English language, and it is often used in combination with other words to form new phrases and expressions. It is also worth noting that “of” is used in different ways than other prepositions, such as “from” or “to”, to convey different meanings. In linguistic terms, “of” is called a deictic preposition, which means it is used to indicate relationships between entities. The use of “of” has also been studied in various fields, including linguistics, literature, and philosophy, to understand the nature of language and communication.
The word “of” has its origins in Old English and Germanic languages, where it was used to indicate possession or origin. Over time, the spelling and usage of “of” evolved to become the preposition we know today. In modern language, “of” is used in a wide range of contexts, from everyday conversations to formal writing and academic language.
In different cultures, “of” has been used in various ways to convey different meanings and relationships. For example, in many indigenous cultures, “of” is used in place names to indicate the geographical location or origin of the place. In literature, “of” is often used in titles to indicate the subject or theme of the work. In popular culture, “of” has been used in various songs, films, and TV shows to convey different meanings or relationships.
Some common idiomatic expressions that include the word “of” are:
- On the of which
- Of which
- Of one’s own accord
- Of no account
Some common related words or phrases to “of” are:
- Belonging to
- Pertaining to
- Regarding
The most common word combinations with “of” are:
- of the
- of which
- on of occasion
The word “of” is relatively commonly used in everyday language, but its usage can be affected by the context and the writer’s intentions. Common misspellings of “of” include “uf”, “ov”, or “off”, although these are not usually acceptable in formal writing or standard language.
Etymology
The word “of” comes from Old English “of” and Germanic languages, where it was used to indicate possession or origin.
Usage Notes
“Of” is often used in phrases to indicate the relationship between two things, such as “of the”, “of which”, or “on the of which”. It can also be used in idiomatic expressions, such as “of no account” or “of one’s own accord”.
Cultural References
“Of” has been used in various songs, films, and TV shows to convey different meanings or relationships. For example, in the song “Of the Sea” by The Decemberists, the word “of” is used to indicate the relationship between the sea and the land.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- On the of which
- Of which
- Of one’s own accord
- Of no account
Related Words or Phrases
- Belonging to
- Pertaining to
- Regarding
Collocations
- of the
- of which
- on of occasion
Frequency of Use
“Of” is relatively commonly used in everyday language, but its usage can be affected by the context and the writer’s intentions.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “of” include “uf”, “ov”, or “off”, although these are not usually acceptable in formal writing or standard language.