Definition and meaning of English word "its"
its
/ɪts/
Meaning
determinerBelonging to it.
How to use
The possessive determiner 'its' is commonly used to indicate ownership or belonging in a sentence. For example, 'The cat chases its tail' or 'The company is proud of its achievements.' However, learners often confuse 'its' with 'it's', which is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.' For instance, 'It's a beautiful day' is incorrect when used to mean 'The cat chases its tail.'
🇬🇧 English
its
Example
The cat chases its tail.
The car is its owner's favorite.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- its eyes— its eyes
- its tail— its tail
- its own way— its own way
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #271 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "its" mean?▼
The English word "its" means "its" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "its"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "its" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "its"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Used to refer to a non-living thing or a pet." (which translates as "its").
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