of 1 a) used to show a feature or quality that something has: the colour of her dress | the width of the road | the size of John's overdraft b) used to say that something is part of something else: the leg of the table | the roots of her hair | the last scene of the movie 2 used to show that something belongs to someone: a friend of my parents | a computer of her own | a habit of his 3 used to talk about a group or collection of particular people or things: a herd of elephants 4 used to talk about a particular amount or measurement of something: two kilos of sugar | lots of money | a drop of water | a cup of coffee 5 used to talk about a particular person or thing from a larger group of the same people or things: a member of the soccer team | both of us | The Mona Lisa is one of his finest works. | the leading brand of shampoo. 6 a) used in dates: the 27th of July b) American English used in giving the time to mean before : a quarter of seven (=6.45) 7 used when giving the name of something or being more specific about something that is very general: the city of New York | the art of painting | the age of eight | the problem of unemployment 8 a) used after nouns describing actions, to show who the action is done to: the killing of innocent children (=the children are killed) b) used after nouns describing actions, to show who does the action: the barking of the dogs (=the dogs bark) 9 used to say what particular subject, person, thing etc another subject, person or thing is connected with or deals with: the Queen of England | disease of the liver | the results of the meeting | the advantages of using a computer 10 literary used to say what substance something is made of: a dress of pure silk 11 a) the day/year etc of the day, year etc that something happened: the day of the accident | the week of the festival b) of the day/year etc the best or most important person or thing or a particular day or year: She has been voted `Woman of the Year'. c) of an evening/of a weekend used to say that you often do something in the evenings, at weekends etc: We always like to walk by the river of an evening. 12 used to show that something is the result of something else: She left of her own free will. | He died of cancer. | the effects of radiation 13 a) used to say who writes a play, who paints a painting etc: the plays of Shakespeare | The building is the work of a great artist. b) used to show what a picture, story etc is about or who is in it: a photo of Elizabeth | a map of Indonesia | a story of love and loss 14 about: He's never heard of John Lennon. | Rumours of his infidelity filled the newspapers. 15 used to show where something is or how far something is from something else: east of Suez | I live within a mile of here. 16 used to describe a particular person or thing: a woman of tremendous spirit | a matter of no importance 17 especially literary used to say where someone comes from: Jesus of Nazareth | the people of China 18 it is kind of/it was wrong of etc used to say that something that someone has done shows that they are kind, wrong etc: It was silly of him to think he could cheat. home english prepositions