my

¹ American  

[mahy] / maɪ /

pronoun

1. (a form of the possessive case of I used as an attributive adjective).

   My soup is cold.

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interjection

1. Also (used as an exclamation of mild surprise or dismay).

   My, what a big house this is! My-my, how old he looks!

my- ² American  

1. variant of myo- before some vowels.

   myalgia.

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my ¹ British  

/ maɪ /

determiner

1. of, belonging to, or associated with the speaker or writer (me)

   my own ideas

   do you mind my smoking?

2. used in various forms of address

   my lord

   my dear boy

3. used in various exclamations

   my goodness!

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interjection

1. an exclamation of surprise, awe, etc

   my, how you've grown!

MY ² British  

abbreviation

1. motor yacht

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my ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Malaysia

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my- ⁴ British  

combining form

1. a variant of myo-

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Grammar

See me.

Usage

What does my- mean? My- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “muscle.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy. My- comes from the Greek mŷs, meaning “muscle” and “mouse.” Mouse? You read that right. Discover why at our entry for muscle!My- is a variant of myo-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use myo- article.

Etymology

Origin of my

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English mī, variant of mīn, Old English mīn; see mine ¹

Example Sentences

“Edward, Glenn and my dad did everything they could and went to the danger,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The EPA fuel economy figure of 12 mpg, combined, hilariously overstates mileage in my real-world driving.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

"I got a three inch memory foam mattress pad so it felt just like my bed at home," Ali says.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

"I felt it was my sins that nailed our Lord to the cross and I just started crying," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Who feels my heart pounding in my chest.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith