possess
gb/pəzˈɛs/ us/pəzˈɛs/
B2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
state
1
To have or own something
To have something and say it belongs to you.
Usage pattern:
to possess [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'possess' in casual speech where 'have' or 'own' would sound more natural.
Synonyms
own (More common in everyday speech when talking about having something as your property.)
|
have (Very general term for holding or owning; less formal than 'possess'.)
Antonyms
lack (Means not having something that might be needed or wanted.)
Collocations
possess property
|possess rights
|possess skills
|possess assets
Themes
law
|business
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She possesses a large collection of rare books.
- Citizens possess certain legal rights.
- The company possesses several valuable patents.
- He possesses a natural talent for music.
Learner examples
- I possess a small car.
- She possesses a red dress.
- They possess many old photos.
- We possess a big house.
Verb
B2
state
2
To have a quality or ability
To have a special skill, quality, or feeling.
Usage pattern:
to possess [a quality/ability]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'possess' with 'show'; possessing a quality doesn't mean it is always visible.
Synonyms
have (More common in everyday language; 'possess' is more formal.)
|
display (Focuses more on showing the quality rather than just having it.)
Antonyms
lack (Means not having the quality or ability.)
Collocations
possess courage
|possess intelligence
|possess charm
|possess knowledge
Themes
personal traits
|skills
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She possesses great patience with children.
- The team possesses the skills needed to succeed.
- He possesses an excellent memory.
- They possess the determination to finish the project.
Learner examples
- I possess good cooking skills.
- She possesses a kind heart.
- He possesses strong arms.
- They possess much energy.
Verb
B2
action
3
Control someone's mind or body (supernatural)
When a spirit or demon controls a person's mind or body.
Usage pattern:
to possess [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with simply controlling someone in a normal way; here it is supernatural.
Synonyms
control (General term for having power over someone; lacks supernatural connotation.)
Antonyms
release (In the supernatural sense, to free someone from possession.)
Collocations
possessed by a demon
|evil spirit possesses
|spirit possession
Themes
religion
|supernatural
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They believed the girl was possessed by an evil spirit.
- In the story, a ghost possessed the main character.
- The priest tried to help the man possessed by demons.
Learner examples
- The man was possessed by a ghost.
- They think she is possessed by an evil spirit.
- A demon possessed the boy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
possess
IPA
GB/pəzˈɛs/
US/pəzˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
pos - sess (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sess)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: possess
- 3rd Person Singular: possesses
- Present Participle: possessing
- Past: possessed
Word family
Forms
possesses
verb
possessing
verb
possessed
verb
Core family
possession
noun A2
possessive
adjective B2
Related words
Advanced or less common
dispossess
verb
dispossession
noun
Expressions
be possessed of
1/bˈi pəzˈɛst əv/
fixed phrase
formal
To have a quality or thing (formal)
To have a certain quality or thing (formal style).
Examples
- She is possessed of great beauty and charm.
- He was possessed of unusual courage during the crisis.
possessed by an idea
1/pəzˈɛst bˈaɪ ən aɪdˈiə/
fixed phrase
Completely focused on an idea
When someone cannot stop thinking about one idea.
Examples
- He was possessed by an idea to start his own company.
- She became possessed by an idea that she must travel to Africa.
possessed by fear
1/pəzˈɛst bˈaɪ fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Completely controlled by fear
When fear has complete control over someone’s actions or thoughts.
Examples
- He seemed possessed by fear after hearing the bad news.
- She was possessed by fear and couldn’t move.