Word
possess
Phoneticspos·sess, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈzɛs/
UK/pəzˈɛs/
Definitions
01to own or have
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to have or own a particular quality, skill, or physical object.
v. to have as a property, attribute, or characteristic; to be in possession of something.
“The new applicant possesses all the technical skills we need for this job.”
“The defendant was found to possess several encrypted files that proved his involvement in the data breach.”
Usage
Always transitive; requires a direct object.
02legal possession
C1 · Advanced Law Technical
v. to have something in your care or control, even if you do not legally own it.
v. to have physical control or occupancy of property or land, distinguished from legal title or ownership.
“It is illegal to possess certain chemicals without a special permit.”
“The court had to determine whether the tenant continued to possess the premises after the lease had officially expired.”
Usage
Used specifically in legal contexts regarding property and evidence.
03to be controlled by a feeling
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be controlled by a very strong emotion or idea.
v. of an emotion, idea, or impulse: to dominate or influence a person's mind or actions completely.
“I don't know what possessed me to say something so rude to her.”
“A sudden, inexplicable rage seemed to possess him, causing him to storm out of the meeting without a word of explanation.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice or with 'what' in questions like 'What possessed you?'
04supernatural control
C1 · Advanced Religion Literary
v. of a spirit or demon: to take control of a person's body or mind.
v. of a supernatural entity: to inhabit and exert total control over a person or animal.
Español:poseer
“In the movie, a dark spirit possesses the young girl and changes her voice.”
“Ancient legends spoke of a vengeful ghost that would possess any traveler who dared to sleep within the ruined temple walls.”
Usage
Commonly found in religious, horror, or mythological contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “possess” in context.
Verb
01. possess characteristic
“Mammals possess certain characteristics that distinguish them from other animals.”
verb + noun
02. possess degree
“Candidates for this position must possess a degree in computer science.”
verb + noun
03. possess function
“Each component in the system is designed to possess a specific function.”
verb + noun
04. possess property
“Some plants possess medicinal properties that have been used for centuries.”
verb + noun
05. possess structure
“The new polymer was engineered to possess a highly stable molecular structure.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“He added that Iran should not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.” “One day in January, what comes into Nicholas is the god Pan – a possessing, deranging, life-threatening spirit.” Etymology
PIE word *pótis From Middle English possessen (“to have, own; to obtain possession of; to inhabit, occupy”) [and other forms], from Middle French possesser, possessier, Old French possesser, possessier (“to have, own, possess; to dominate”), from Latin possessus (“possessed; seized”), the perfect passive participle of possideō (“to have, hold, own, possess; to have possessions; to take control or possession of, occupy, seize; to abide, inhabit, occupy; to dominate”), from potis (“able, capable, possible”) (from Proto-Indo-European pótis (“master; ruler; husband”)) + sedeō (“to sit; to be seated; to be established, hold firm”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European sed- (“to sit”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0