-'s

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A possessive marker, indicating that an object belongs to the noun or noun phrase bearing…

   A possessive marker, indicating that an object belongs to the noun or noun phrase bearing the marker.

   • Jane's house is bigger than Sarah's.
   • The cat bit the dog's tail. (the dog + 's)
   • The cat bit the dog with the shaggy fur's tail. (the dog with the shaggy fur + 's)
2. 2

   In the absence of a specified object, used to indicate “the house/place/establishment of”.

   • We'll arrive at Jose and María's in time for dinner.
   • I'm going to the butcher's for a steak.
   • I bought it at Tesco's. (see s-form)
3. 3

   Indicates a purpose or a user.

   • You need a driver's license.
   • Alex can be a girl's name.
   • That's a girl's toy. (A toy intended for use by girls.) — Homographic to: That's a girl's toy. (The toy of a specific girl.)
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Used to indicate a quantity of something, especially of time.

      • I took three weeks' holiday.
      • The rocks lay at about a mile's distance from the shore.
   2. 5

      Used to indicate various other kinds of relationship, such as source or origin, object of…

      Used to indicate various other kinds of relationship, such as source or origin, object of an action, subject depicted, etc.

      • She got angry at my niece's trying to lie to us.
      • the doctor's help (help provided by the doctor)
      • the King's capture (event of the King being captured)
   3. 6

      Attached to a noun or noun phrase linked to a genitive of, forming a double genitive…

      Attached to a noun or noun phrase linked to a genitive of, forming a double genitive (Compare of mine, etc.)

      • a friend of Sarah's
      • Have you heard this new idea of our boss's?
      • NAy, but this dotage of our Generals Ore-flowes the meaſure: […]
   4. 7

      Used to form the plurals of numerals, letters, some abbreviations and some nouns, usually…

      Used to form the plurals of numerals, letters, some abbreviations and some nouns, usually because the omission of an apostrophe would make the meaning unclear or ambiguous.

      • There are four 3’s in my phone number.
      • “Banana” has three a’s and one b. (apostrophe "s" used so that the plural of “a” is not confused with the word “as”)
      • You can buy CD’s in that shop.
   5. 8

      Used to form plurals of foreign words, to clarify pronunciation, such as “banana’s” or…

      Used to form plurals of foreign words, to clarify pronunciation, such as “banana’s” or “pasta’s”.

      • index’s
   6. 9

      Used to form the plural of nouns that correctly take just an "s" in the plural. See…

      Used to form the plural of nouns that correctly take just an "s" in the plural. See greengrocer’s apostrophe.

      • Apple’s 50p a pound

The neighborhood

• synonymof
• neighborits
• neighborit’s
• neighborlet’s
• neighborgreengrocer’s apostrophe