Self vs. Own — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 12, 2024
"Self" refers to a person's individual identity or essence, encompassing their thoughts, personality, and consciousness, whereas "own" denotes possession or something that belongs uniquely to an individual or entity.
Difference Between Self and Own
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Self" is a term used to describe a person's essential being and individuality, often considered in psychological and philosophical contexts, whereas "own" is used to signify possession and can apply to both tangible and intangible items.
The concept of "self" involves introspection and personal identity, reflecting on one's thoughts, feelings, and actions, while "own" is more external, focusing on the legal or personal claim to an object or idea.
In literature and psychology, "self" is analyzed to understand personal development, self-awareness, and identity; on the other hand, "own" is typically addressed in legal, economic, or relational contexts, such as owning property or having one's own opinions.
"Self" can also be part of compound words and phrases like self-esteem or self-worth, which denote aspects of one's internal evaluative processes, whereas "own" often appears in phrases like "on your own" or "make it your own," indicating independence or customization.
The exploration of "self" can lead to deeper self-knowledge and personal growth, while asserting what one "owns" often pertains to establishing boundaries and personal or financial security.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A person's individual essence or identity
Something belonging to oneself, possession
Usage Context
Psychological, philosophical, personal
Legal, economic, personal
Focus
Internal identity, consciousness
External possession, rights
Common Phrases
Self-awareness, self-esteem
Own up, on your own
Associated With
Personal growth, introspection
Property, rights, independence
Compare with Definitions
Self
The total, essential, or particular being of a person; the individual.
He went on a journey to find his true self.
Own
Possessing something as a part of one's belongings or characteristics.
He finally bought his own car.
Self
Used reflexively as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to the subject of the clause.
He himself completed all the work.
Own
To have full authority or control over something.
She owns a small bakery in town.
Self
Used in compounds to denote an intrinsic or particular characteristic.
Self-confidence is key to public speaking.
Own
Used to express that something belongs to or is connected to oneself.
She has her own ideas about the project.
Self
Related to the individual’s internal psychological identity.
Therapy helped her understand her self better.
Own
Of or belonging to oneself or itself
She makes her own clothes.
Self
The self is an individual person as the object of its own reflective consciousness. Since the self is a reference by a subject to the same subject, this reference is necessarily subjective.
Own
That which belongs to one
I wanted a room of my own.
Self
A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action
Language is an aspect of a person's sense of self
Our alienation from our true selves
Guilt can be turned against the self
Own
To have or possess as property
Owns a chain of restaurants.
Self
(of a trimming or cover) of the same material and colour as the rest of the item
A button-through style with self belt
Own
To have control over
For a time, enemy planes owned the skies.
Self
Self-pollinate; self-fertilize
A variety that selfs itself loses lots of vigour in the progeny
Own
To admit as being in accordance with fact, truth, or a claim; acknowledge
"I own that I have been sly, thievish, mean, a prevaricator, greedy, derelict, / and I own that I remain so yet" (Walt Whitman).
Self
The total, essential, or particular being of a person; the individual
"An actor's instrument is the self" (Joan Juliet Buck).
Own
To make a full confession or acknowledgment
When confronted with the evidence the thief owned up to the crime.
Self
The essential qualities distinguishing one person from another; individuality
"He would walk a little first along the southern walls, shed his European self, fully enter this world" (Howard Kaplan).
Own
Belonging to; possessed; acquired; proper to; property of; titled to; held in one's name; under/using the name of. Often marks a possessive determiner as reflexive, referring back to the subject of the clause or sentence.
Self
One's consciousness of one's own being or identity; the ego
"For some of us, the self's natural doubts are given in mesmerizing amplification by way of critics' negative assessments of our writing" (Joyce Carol Oates).
Own
Not shared.
When we move into the new house, the kids will each have their own bedroom.
Self
One's own interests, welfare, or advantage
Thinking of self alone.
Own
(obsolete) Peculiar, domestic.
Self
(Immunology) That which the immune system identifies as belonging to the body
Tissues no longer recognized as self.
Own
(obsolete) Not foreign.
Self
Of the same character throughout.
Own
(transitive) To have rightful possession of (property, goods or capital); to have legal title to; to acquire a property or asset.
I own this car.
Self
Of the same material as the article with which it is used
A dress with a self belt.
Own
(transitive) To have recognized political sovereignty over a place, territory, as distinct from the ordinary connotation of property ownership.
The United States owns Point Roberts by the terms of the Treaty of Oregon.
Self
(Obsolete) Same or identical.
Own
(transitive) To defeat or embarrass; to overwhelm.
I will own my enemies.
If he wins, he will own you.
Self
To fertilize or pollinate itself. Used of hermaphroditic organisms.
Own
(transitive) To virtually or figuratively enslave.
Self
(obsolete) Himself, herself, itself, themselves; that specific (person mentioned).
This argument was put forward by the defendant self.
Own
To defeat, dominate, or be above, also spelled pwn.
Self
Myself.
I made out a cheque, payable to self, which cheered me up somewhat.
Own
To illicitly obtain superuser or root access to a computer system, thereby having access to all of the user files on that system; pwn.
Self
One individual's personality, character, demeanor, or disposition.
One's true self; one's better self; one's former self
Own
To be very good.
Self
The subject of one's own experience of phenomena: perception, emotions, thoughts.
Own
(intransitive) To admit, concede, grant, allow, acknowledge, confess; not to deny.
Self
An individual person as the object of the person's own reflective consciousness (plural selves).
Own
(transitive) To admit; concede; acknowledge.
Self
Self-interest or personal advantage.
Own
(transitive) To proudly acknowledge; to not be ashamed or embarrassed of.
Self
Identity or personality.
Own
(transitive) To take responsibility for.
Self
(botany) A seedling produced by self-pollination (plural selfs).
Own
(transitive) To recognise; acknowledge.
To own one as a son
Self
(botany) A flower having its colour uniform as opposed to variegated.
Own
(transitive) To claim as one's own.
Self
Any molecule, cell, or tissue of an organism's own (belonging to the self), as opposed to a foreign (nonself) molecule, cell, or tissue (for example, infective, allogenic, or xenogenic).
Own
To confess.
Self
(botany) To fertilise by the same individual; to self-fertilise or self-pollinate.
Own
To grant; to acknowledge; to admit to be true; to confess; to recognize in a particular character; as, we own that we have forfeited your love.
The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide;But his sagacious eye an inmate owns.
Self
(botany) To fertilise by the same strain; to inbreed.
Own
To hold as property; to have a legal or rightful title to; to be the proprietor or possessor of; to possess; as, to own a house.
Self
Having its own or a single nature or character throughout, as in colour, composition, etc., without addition or change; of the same kind; unmixed.
A self bow: one made from a single piece of wood
A self flower or plant: one which is wholly of one colour
Own
Belonging to; belonging exclusively or especially to; peculiar; - most frequently following a possessive pronoun, as my, our, thy, your, his, her, its, their, in order to emphasize or intensify the idea of property, peculiar interest, or exclusive ownership; as, my own father; my own composition; my own idea; at my own price.
Self
(obsolete) Same, identical.
Own
Have ownership or possession of;
He owns three houses in Florida
How many cars does she have?
Self
(obsolete) Belonging to oneself; own.
Own
Belonging to or on behalf of a specified person (especially yourself); preceded by a possessive;
For your own use
Do your own thing
She makes her own clothes
`ain' is Scottish
Self
Of or relating to any molecule, cell, or tissue of an organism's own (belonging to the self), as opposed to a foreign (nonself) molecule, cell, or tissue (for example, infective, allogenic, or xenogenic).
Own
Emphasizing the personal significance or uniqueness of something.
Everyone should have their own dreams and goals.
Self
Same; particular; very; identical.
To shoot another arrow that self wayWhich you did shoot the first.
At that self moment enters Palamon.
Own
Used reflexively to accept responsibility.
You must own up to your mistakes.
Self
Having its own or a single nature or character, as in color, composition, etc., without addition or change; unmixed; as, a self bow, one made from a single piece of wood; self flower or plant, one which is wholly of one color; self-colored.
Self
The individual as the object of his own reflective consciousness; the man viewed by his own cognition as the subject of all his mental phenomena, the agent in his own activities, the subject of his own feelings, and the possessor of capacities and character; a person as a distinct individual; a being regarded as having personality.
A man's self may be the worst fellow to converse with in the world.
The self, the I, is recognized in every act of intelligence as the subject to which that act belongs. It is I that perceive, I that imagine, I that remember, I that attend, I that compare, I that feel, I that will, I that am conscious.
Self
Hence, personal interest, or love of private interest; selfishness; as, self is his whole aim.
Self
Personification; embodiment.
She was beauty's self.
Self
Your consciousness of your own identity
Self
A person considered as a unique individual;
One's own self
Self
Combining form; oneself or itself;
Self-control
Self
Used as a combining form; relating to--of or by or to or from or for--the self;
Self-knowledge
Self-proclaimed
Self-induced
Self
A person's nature, character, and the qualities that make them unique.
She always stays true to herself, no matter the situation.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to have 'one's own' things?
It means to possess things that are uniquely under one's control or ownership.
What is an example of developing 'self'?
Engaging in activities that foster self-reflection and self-discovery, such as meditation or therapy.
How can 'self' affect one's mental health?
A healthy sense of self can lead to better mental health outcomes, while a distorted sense of self may contribute to psychological issues.
Can 'self' and 'own' be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different linguistic and conceptual functions.
What is the difference between 'self' and 'own'?
"Self" refers to a person's identity and personal essence, while "own" denotes possession or something uniquely belonging to a person.
How does 'self' relate to personality?
"Self" encompasses aspects of a person's identity, including their personality and consciousness.
Why is understanding 'self' important?
Understanding one's self is crucial for personal development, self-awareness, and making authentic life choices.
How does one legally secure their 'own'?
Legal possession can be secured through titles, deeds, or copyrights, depending on the type of ownership.
What does it mean to 'own up'?
To "own up" means to accept responsibility, especially admitting to one's mistakes or faults.
What impact does ownership have on society?
Ownership defines legal and economic relationships and responsibilities, influencing societal structure and individual behavior.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Lambda vs. Omega
Next Comparison
Resolve vs. AddressAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
