3 syllables: Pos, sess, es. Stress on sess.
puh-ZES-uhz
/pəˈzɛsəz/
Possesses is pronounced puh-ZES-uhz (/pəˈzɛsəz/). It has three syllables (Pos-sess-es), with the stress on "sess". Possesses is a present-tense verb meaning to have or own something, or to hold a feature or quality. It’s commonly used in formal and legal writing as well as everyday speech to indicate ownership or control. The form presents the third-person singular and the base for other conjugations, with stress typically on the second syllable in careful pronunciation.
verbPossesses is a present-tense verb meaning to have or own something, or to hold a feature or quality. It’s commonly used in formal and legal writing as well as everyday speech to indicate ownership or control. The form presents the third-person singular and the base for other conjugations, with stress typically on the second syllable in careful pronunciation.
How to Pronounce Possesses
"She possesses a rare collection of stamps."
"The company possesses valuable patented technology."
"He possesses a calm demeanor that helps in negotiations."
Pronounce as /pəˈses.ɪz/ in US/UK variants. The first syllable is unstressed with a schwa, the second is stressed: /ˈses/; the final consonant is a voiced z. For many speakers, it sounds like po-SSESS-es, with a clear /ˈses/ and a light -ɪz on the end. Mouth positions: lips relaxed, tongue tip near the upper teeth for the sibilants, jaw modestly dropped for the schwa, then a final small z release.
Two frequent issues: misplacing stress (e.g., po-SES-ses), and weakening the middle consonant cluster (/ˈses/ vs /ˈsoʊz/). Correct by practicing the middle syllable with a crisp /s/ and clear /z/ at the end, ensuring the /ɪ/ is short and not merged into a broader /iː/. Use minimal pairs like possess vs presses to train the /s/ and /z/ distinction.
In US English, the second syllable tends to be more sharply stressed with a clear /ˈses/ and final /ɪz/. UK English maintains similar stress but may feature a slightly closer front vowel in the middle, and a crisper /s/ followed by a faint /z/. Australian English usually shows a flatter intonation with the final /ɪz/ more centralized, but the core /pəˈses.ɪz/ pattern remains intact.
Difficulties come from the three-syllable rhythm and the consonant cluster -ss- followed by -es pronounced as -ɪz-. The middle /ses/ needs a strong /s/ action and a short, unstressed vowel before the final /ɪz/. Many learners also misplace the main stress. Focusing on the transition between /s/ and /ɪ/ and keeping the final /z/ voiced helps avoid common pitfalls.
No letters are silent in possess-es. Every letter contributes to the pronunciation: p, o, s, s, e, s, e, s, with the stress on the second syllable and the final -es realized as /ɪz/ in standard speech. The double s ensures the /s/ sounds are crisp before the final /ɪz/.
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Possesses comes from Latin possessus, the past participle of possidere, meaning to hold, grasp, or occupy. Possidere itself is formed from the prefix pro- (toward, forward) and sapere (to taste, discern, or understand) in a broader sense of having control or ownership. The Latin root possess- conveys the idea of holding ownership or control, often used in legal and philosophical contexts. In English, possess is attested from the late Middle English period, influenced by Old French possess (from Latin possessus) during the Norman influence on vocabulary related to property and rights. The sibilant -ss- in possess mirrors other Latin-derived English verbs that enter English with a long-standing sense of possession or control. The third-person singular possesses emerges with English verb conjugation patterns, adding -es to the base for he/she/it forms. Over time, possess has taken on both literal ownership and more abstract senses of bearing traits or qualities, as in possess a talent. First known use in English appears in texts from the 15th century, aligning with similar developments in law, philosophy, and literature that discuss property, rights, and attributes.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Possesses" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Possesses" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Possesses"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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