language note: Your is the second person possessive determiner. Your can refer to one or more people.
1. determiner
A speaker or writer uses your to indicate that something belongs or relates to the person or people that they aretalking or writing to.
Emma, I trust your opinion a great deal.
I left all of your messages on your desk.
If you are unable to obtain the information you require, consult your telephone directory.
2. determiner
In spoken English and informal written English, your is sometimes used to indicate that something belongs to or relates to people in general.
Pain-killers are very useful in small amounts to bring your temperature down.
I then realized how possible it was to overcome your limitations.
3. determiner
In spoken English, a speaker sometimes uses your before an adjective such as 'typical' or 'normal' to indicate that the thing referred to is a typical example of its type.
Stan Reilly is not really one of your typical Brighton Boys.
It's just your average wooden door.
English Easy Learning GrammarDeterminersDeterminers are words that make the reference of nouns more specific. If I say ‘thiscar’ it is clear that I mean a particular car which is near me. If ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarNoun phrases with several determinersMost noun phrases contain only one determiner or none at all, but if there are more,they follow a definite order. Determiners can be divided into four ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarPossessivesPossessives are used to specify the ownership of an item, or, if the noun refers tosomething animate, to specify a relationship. That is my car. Mr Smith ... Read more
your in British English
(jɔː, jʊə, unstressed jə)
determiner
1.
of, belonging to, or associated with you
your nose
your house
your first taste of freedom
2.
belonging to or associated with an unspecified person or people in general
the path is on your left heading north
this lotion is for your head only
3. informal
used to indicate all things or people of a certain type
your Labrador is a gentle breed of dog
4. your actual
Word origin
Old English eower, genitive of gēye1; related to Old Frisian jūwe, Old Saxon euwa, Old High German iuwēr
your in American English
(jʊr; often jɔr)
possessive pronominal adjective
1.
of, belonging to, made by, or done by you
also used before some formal titles
Your Honor, Your Majesty
2. Informal
the
used to designate a typical member of a group or class: often followed by average
Word origin
ME your, eower < OE eower, gen. of ge, ye: see thou1 pronoun
Examples of 'your' in a sentence
your
He points out that by committing to storing your belongings you are forced to sort things out.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have much to say and many plans to share with the key people in your life.
The Sun (2016)
The only thing you can alter is your food and people eat less to keep warm.
The Sun (2016)
Some people may doubt your choices but let time prove you right.
The Sun (2016)
People love your ideas and your success can go from local to global.
The Sun (2016)
If your people need anything then you must ask my government.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Are all the people in your place good people?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You bring people to your home.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your success surprises people - including you.
The Sun (2016)
The solstice makes this the shortest day but it could also be the one that brings so many interesting people into your life.
The Sun (2016)
You are advised to take extra care of your belongings in busy locations fco.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Who have been the most influential people in your life and why?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Watch what happens in your relationships with people around you.
Christianity Today (2000)
Take photographs of your home and belongings to help with any claim.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
To pursue a certain kind of fame is to invite people into your life.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Insurers will insist that you take care of your personal belongings and keep them secure.
The Sun (2015)
The moon moves in to your sign and sparks new understanding with key people in your life.
The Sun (2012)
Especially when they take a load of your belongings.
The Sun (2012)
The moon is in your sign so people are receptive to your ideas.
The Sun (2014)
Do you only really relax in your own space with your own belongings around?
The Sun (2008)
The moon in your sign makes people more receptive to your plans.
The Sun (2010)
The moon in your sign ensures people like your ideas.
The Sun (2011)
You write off the English at your peril.
The Sun (2009)
Something memorably structure to your English taste.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
Some of his ideas are slightly different to your typical English coach.
The Sun (2015)
HAVE you left your English blood behind?
The Sun (2006)
In other languages
your
British English: your /jɔː; jʊə; jə/ DETERMINER
You use your to show that something belongs to the people that you are talking to.
I do like your name.
American English: your
Arabic: الـخَاصُّ بِك
Brazilian Portuguese: seu, seus
Chinese: 您的
Croatian: tvoj
Czech: váš
Danish: din
Dutch: jouw
European Spanish: tu
Finnish: sinun tai teidän
French: ton
German: Ihr
Greek: δικός σου
Italian: tuo
Japanese: あなたの
Korean: 당신의
Norwegian: din
Polish: twój
European Portuguese: seu, seus
Romanian: al tău
Russian: ваш
Latin American Spanish: su
Swedish: din
Thai: ของคุณ ของท่าน
Turkish: sizin
Ukrainian: твій
Vietnamese: của bạn
All related terms of 'your'
your actual
( intensifier )
your nineties
the ages between 90–99
do your bit
If you do your bit , you do something that, to a small or limited extent , helps to achieve something.
do your nut
to become very angry about something
do your part
If you do your part , you do something that, to a small or limited extent , helps to achieve something.
in-your-face
Someone who has an in-your-face attitude seems determined to behave in a way that is unusual or shocking , and does not care what people think of them.
on your bike
said to tell someone to go away or stop behaving in a foolish way
on your feet
If you are on your feet , you are standing up.
on your mark
a command given to runners in a race to prepare themselves at the starting line
on your mind
If something is on your mind , you are worried or concerned about it and think about it a lot .
on your side
If something is on your side or if you have it on your side , it helps you when you are trying to achieve something.
on your tod
by yourself, without help from anyone else
to your feet
If you get or rise to your feet , you stand up.
your seventies
the ages between 70–79
at your heels
following close behind you
bet your boots
to be sure or certain
bite your lip
If you bite your lip , you try very hard not to show the anger or distress that you are feeling .
blow your mind
to be extremely exciting , surprising or interesting
blow your top
to become very angry with someone and shout at them
by-your-leave
a request for permission (esp in the phrase without so much as a by-your-leave )
cover your ass
Cover your ass means the same as → cover your → back 2 .
drag your feet to drag your heels
If you drag your feet or drag your heels , you delay doing something or do it very slowly because you do not want to do it.
earn your corn
to be successful and therefore justify the money that has been spent, for example on training
eat your words
to be proved to be wrong when you have given an opinion about something
find your feet
to become more confident and learn what to do in a new situation
flip your lid
to become extremely angry or upset about something, and lose control of yourself
haul your wind
to sail closer to the wind
he's your man
he's the person needed (for a particular task , role , job, etc)
hold your fire
If someone holds their fire or holds fire , they stop shooting or they wait before they start shooting.
hold your own
to be able to defend your position against someone who is attacking you or threatening you
in your blood
used for describing something that is a very important part of you and seems natural to you, for example because it is traditional in your family or culture
in your corner
supporting you and helping you
keep your cool to lose your cool
If you keep your cool in a difficult situation, you manage to remain calm . If you lose your cool , you get angry or upset .
keep your head
to remain calm in a difficult situation
lick your lips
to look forward eagerly to a future event
lose your cool
to suddenly get angry and behave in a bad-tempered or uncontrolled way
lose your edge
to no longer have all the advantages and special skills that you had in the past
lose your grip
to lose control over a situation
lose your head
to panic and not remain calm in a difficult situation
lose your rag
to suddenly lose your temper with someone and get very angry
make your mark
to do something which causes you to become noticed or famous
mend your ways
to stop behaving badly or illegally and improve your behaviour
not your type
If you say that someone is not your type , you mean that they are not the sort of person who you usually find attractive.
off your guard
not prepared for something when it happens so that you do not react normally
off your hands
if someone or something is off your hands , you are no longer responsible for them, because another person has taken responsibility for them instead of you
off your head
very strange , foolish , or dangerous
of your dreams
If you describe someone or something as the person or thing of your dreams , you mean that you consider them to be ideal or perfect .
on your guard
If you are on your guard or on guard , you are being very careful because you think a situation might become difficult or dangerous .
on your hands
if you have a problem or task on your hands , you have to deal with it
on your marks
On your marks in British English, or on your mark in American English, is a command given to runners at the beginning of a race in order to get them into the correct position to start .