make something one's own

verb

To change or deal with (something) in a way that makes it seem to belong to oneself; to handle or present uniquely.

“With his dramatic mannerisms and gestures, the actor really made the role his own.”

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Meanings

verbmake something one's own (third-person singular simple present makes something one's own, present participle making something one's own, simple past and past participle made something one's own)

present singular third person makes something one's own · participle present making something one's own · participle past made something one's own · past made something one's own

  1. transitiveTo change or deal with (something) in a way that makes it seem to belong to oneself; to handle or present uniquely.

    With his dramatic mannerisms and gestures, the actor really made the role his own.

Cite this entry
APA

make something one's own. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20something%20one's%20own

MLA

“make something one's own.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20something%20one's%20own. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “make something one's own,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20something%20one's%20own.

Source: make something one's own on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.