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1

's

verb \ same as -'s \

Definition of 's

1 a : is
  • she's here
b : was
  • when's the last time you ate?
2 : has
  • he's seen them
3 : does
  • what's he want?

See 's defined for English-language learners

See 's defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of 's

contraction of is, has, does

2

's

pronoun \ s \

Definition of 's

: us —used with let
  • let's

Origin and Etymology of 's

by contraction

-'s

noun suffix or pronoun suffix \ s , after voiceless consonants other than s , sh , ch ; z , after vowels and voiced consonants other than z , zh , j ; əz , after s , sh , ch , z , zh , j \

Definition of -'s

—used to form the possessive of singular nouns
  • boy's
, of plural nouns not ending in s
  • children's
, of some pronouns
  • anyone's
, and of word groups functioning as nouns
  • the man in the corner's hat
 or pronouns
  • someone else's

Origin and Etymology of -'s

Middle English -es, -s, genitive singular ending, from Old English -es; akin to Old High German -es, genitive singular ending, Greek -oio, -ou, Sanskrit -asya

'S Defined for English Language Learners

's

verb

Definition of 's for English Language Learners

  • —used as a contraction of is, was, has, and does

'S Defined for Kids

-'s

noun suffix or pronoun suffix

Definition of -'s for Students

—used to form the possessive of singular nouns
  • elephant's
, of plural nouns not ending in s
  • children's
, and of some pronouns
  • anyone's

Seen and Heard

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'n'
're
's
-'s

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