of definition - Dictionary

MSN homeMailMy MSN

encartagreeting cards

encarta®

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

	odorless

	odorous

	odour

	Odysseus

	odyssey

	Łodz

	OE

	Oe

	OECD

	oedema

	Oedipus

	Oedipus complex

	OEM

	oenology

	oenomel

	oenophile

	oersted

Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

of

of [ stressed uv, ov, unstressed əv ] CORE MEANING: a preposition introducing a noun or noun phrase that provides more information about a preceding word or phrase, usually, but not always, also a noun

Most software has complex sets of commands and options.

She let out a little squeal of delight.

I'm very fond of onions.

He thought of the consequences too late.

preposition

Definition:

1. affected by action: used to indicate the person or thing affected by or performing an action

the promotion of junior staff

the death of her father

2. used in measuring quantities: used after words or phrases expressing quantities to indicate the substance or thing being measured

millions of dollars

a herd of cows

10 gallons of oil

3. connected with: used to indicate the place that somebody or something belongs to or is connected with

the president of France

4. containing: containing a particular substance

a mug of coffee

a busload of schoolchildren

5. taken from: used to indicate a part of something that is normally considered as a whole

a slice of cake

a square of fabric

6. made from: made from or used as a material to form something

ruled with a rod of iron

a paste of flour and water

7. indicating relationship or association: used to indicate a relationship, association, or cause

I'll be thinking of you.

accused of negligence

8. relating to: used after words describing feelings and qualities to indicate the person or thing they relate to

He's very sure of himself.

It's very kind of you to come.

9. indicating particular type: used to describe somebody or something in terms of a particular type or kind

one heck of a gymnast

10. having particular quality: used to indicate a quality that somebody or something has, or the person or thing having a particular quality

announcements of a general nature

a musician of great talent

the gentleness of his manner

11. indicating amount: used to indicate an amount, age, or value

There is a limit of eight characters in a computer user name.

a young boy of 12

12. on every: used to indicate a day or other period of time when an activity regularly occurs ( informal )

We usually go out for a meal of a Friday.

13. before: before the hour of

It was a quarter of ten before she returned.

[ Old English< Germanic]

Word Usage


	of and 've: Note that could've, should've, and would've are contracted forms of could have, should have, and would have. The 've contraction is sometimes wrongly interpreted as of, because it sounds similar: He could've [not could of] been killed. You should've [not should of] followed the instructions. It would've [not would of] been quicker to walk.