How Do You Spell POSSESS?

Pronunciation: [pəzˈɛs] (IPA)

The word "possess" is spelt /pəˈzɛs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It consists of two syllables: "pos" and "sess". The "o" in "pos" is pronounced as /ɑ/ and the double "s" in "sess" is pronounced as /s/. The stress in the word falls on the second syllable, "sess". This word means to own or have control over something. Knowing the correct spelling of "possess" is important for effective communication, especially in written form.

POSSESS Meaning and Definition

  1. Possess is a transitive verb that refers to the act of having or owning something. It means to be in control or ownership of an item, object, or quality. Possess can also describe the state of possessing particular traits or attributes, whether physically or mentally.

    When defined in terms of ownership, to possess something implies that one has legal or rightful control over it. This can include tangible belongings like property, possessions, or material goods. For instance, someone may possess a car if they have legal ownership or hold the title to it.

    Furthermore, possess can extend beyond mere physical ownership to encompass abstract concepts. For example, someone might possess knowledge, skills, or talents in a certain field. In such a case, possession refers to having a particular quality or ability that sets them apart.

    The concept of possession also extends to emotional and psychological traits. For instance, a person may possess great courage, compassion, or resilience. In this context, possess implies that the individual possesses these qualities within themselves and exhibits them under varying circumstances.

    Additionally, the term possess can occasionally be used to describe temporary or fleeting control, such as when one possesses a calm demeanor in a tense situation.

    Overall, the verb possess denotes the act of having or holding something, whether it be physical, abstract, or ephemeral.

  2. To have or hold as an owner; to enjoy; to occupy; to hold the title of, as the rightful proprietor; to have power over, or to affect by some invisible power.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for POSSESS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for POSSESS

Etymology of POSSESS

The word "possess" originates from the Old French word "posséder", which can be traced back to the Latin word "possidere". In Latin, "possidere" is a combination of "potis" (meaning "able") and "sedere" (meaning "to sit"). This combination of words expresses the idea of having control or power over something, as if one is able to sit upon or have dominion over it. Over time, the word "possess" in English has retained a similar meaning, describing the act of owning or having control over something.

Similar spelling word for POSSESS

Conjugate verb Possess

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have possessed
you would have possessed
he/she/it would have possessed
we would have possessed
they would have possessed
I would have possess
you would have possess
he/she/it would have possess
we would have possess
they would have possess

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been possessing
you would have been possessing
he/she/it would have been possessing
we would have been possessing
they would have been possessing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would possess
you would possess
he/she/it would possess
we would possess
they would possess

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be possessing
you would be possessing
he/she/it would be possessing
we would be possessing
they would be possessing

FUTURE

I will possess
you will possess
he/she/it will possess
we will possess
they will possess

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be possessing
you will be possessing
he/she/it will be possessing
we will be possessing
they will be possessing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have possessed
you will have possessed
he/she/it will have possessed
we will have possessed
they will have possessed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been possessing
you will have been possessing
he/she/it will have been possessing
we will have been possessing
they will have been possessing

IMPERATIVE

you possess
we let´s possess

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to possess

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was possessing
you were possessing
he/she/it was possessing
we were possessing
they were possessing

PAST PARTICIPLE

possessed

PAST PERFECT

I had possessed
you had possessed
he/she/it had possessed
we had possessed
they had possessed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been possessing
you had been possessing
he/she/it had been possessing
we had been possessing
they had been possessing

PRESENT

I possess
you possess
he/she/it possesses
we possess
they possess

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am possessing
you are possessing
he/she/it is possessing
we are possessing
they are possessing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

possessing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have possessed
you have possessed
he/she/it has possessed
we have possessed
they have possessed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been possessing
you have been possessing
he/she/it has been possessing
we have been possessing
they have been possessing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it possess

SIMPLE PAST

I possessed
you possessed
he/she/it possessed
we possessed
they possessed

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