property
Property refers to something that a person or group owns, such as a house, land, or personal objects. It can also describe a special quality or characteristic that a substance or thing has.
Examples
3 of 5Be careful with my property; I do not want it to get broken.
Be careful with my property; I do not want it to get broken.
The local government is responsible for maintaining all public property in the city.
The local government is responsible for maintaining all public property in the city.
Hey, don't touch that; it's my property!
Hey, don't touch that; it's my property!
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Proper-ty' — it is the stuff that 'properly' belongs to you.
Quick Quiz
The police found the stolen ______ and returned it to the owner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: property
Examples
Be careful with my property; I do not want it to get broken.
everydayBe careful with my property; I do not want it to get broken.
The local government is responsible for maintaining all public property in the city.
formalThe local government is responsible for maintaining all public property in the city.
Hey, don't touch that; it's my property!
informalHey, don't touch that; it's my property!
One physical property of water is that it freezes at zero degrees Celsius.
academicOne physical property of water is that it freezes at zero degrees Celsius.
The company decided to sell its commercial property to save money.
businessThe company decided to sell its commercial property to save money.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
intellectual property
intellectual property
lost property
lost property
commercial property
commercial property
Often Confused With
'Proper' is an adjective meaning correct or suitable, while 'property' is a noun meaning something owned.
'Belongings' usually refers to small personal items you carry, whereas 'property' often refers to land or buildings.
Usage Notes
When talking about houses or land, 'property' is often used as a countable noun. When talking about the general concept of owning things, it is often uncountable.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'property' to mean only a house, but it can also mean a phone, a book, or a scientific trait like 'the properties of metal'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Proper-ty' — it is the stuff that 'properly' belongs to you.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'propriete', which comes from the Latin 'proprietas', meaning ownership or a quality.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, owning property (especially a home) is seen as a major life goal and a sign of financial success.
Quick Quiz
The police found the stolen ______ and returned it to the owner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: property
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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