possess
1 of 1verb/pəˈzɛs/
Forms:possesses,possessing,possessed,possessed
1
to have something as one's own
B2transitive- As an avid art collector, he possesses valuable paintings from renowned artists.
- She possesses a beautiful collection of vintage books, carefully curated over the years.
- The wealthy businessman is known to possess a fleet of luxury cars and a private jet.
- The mansion possesses an exquisite garden with rare flowers and sculptures.
2
to have a particular quality, attribute, knowledge, or skill
transitive- She possesses a remarkable talent for playing the piano.
- The successful entrepreneur possesses strong leadership skills.
- A good teacher should possess effective communication skills to connect with students.
- The detective possesses a keen sense of observation, enabling her to solve complex cases.
- The artist possesses a unique style that sets their work apart from others in the art community.
3
to be overtaken or influenced by a particular emotion, idea, or state of mind
transitive- His anger possessed him, leading to words and actions he later regretted.
- A sense of wanderlust seemed to possess her, driving her to explore new places and cultures.
- The haunting melody possessed the audience, evoking a range of emotions from nostalgia to melancholy.
- His determination to succeed possessed him, pushing him to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals.
- In times of crisis, a spirit of unity and resilience can possess a community, bringing people together for mutual support.