Pocess vs. Possess — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 28, 2024
The incorrect "Pocess" should be rightly spelled as "Possess," meaning to have or hold as property or characteristic.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Pocess or Possess
How to spell Possess?
Pocess
Incorrect Spelling
Possess
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of possession, which clearly has the "ss" sound in the middle.
Use the mnemonic: People Often Securely Store Every Single Secret.
Remember "Possess" has two 's' pairs.
Associate it with "obsess" which also has double 's'.
Recall the saying "to possess power," both words start with "po" and have double letters.
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How Do You Spell Possess Correctly?
Incorrect: She wanted to pocess a new car.
Correct: She wanted to possess a new car.
Incorrect: To succeed, one must pocess determination and grit.
Correct: To succeed, one must possess determination and grit.
Incorrect: He doesn't pocess the necessary skills for the job.
Correct: He doesn't possess the necessary skills for the job.
Incorrect: The team needs to pocess a strong defense to win.
Correct: The team needs to possess a strong defense to win.
Incorrect: A good leader should pocess empathy and understanding.
Correct: A good leader should possess empathy and understanding.
Possess Definitions
Possess can imply having a specific quality or trait.
He possesses great wisdom.
Possess might mean to hold or bear, especially in one's mind.
She possesses a memory of that day.
Possess can mean to gain or seize control.
The army possessed the fort.
Possess means to have or own as property.
She possesses a rare collection of coins.
Possess refers to having control or dominance over something.
Demons are believed to possess individuals in some cultures.
To have as property; own
Possess great wealth.
(Law) To have under one's power or control
Possess illegal drugs.
To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute
Possesses great tact.
To have mastery or knowledge of
Possess a knowledge of Sanskrit.
Possess valuable information.
To gain control or power over. Used of a demon or spirit.
To occupy fully the mind or feelings of
The dancers were possessed by the music.
Often Offensive To have sexual intercourse with (a woman).
(Archaic) To control or maintain (one's nature) in a particular condition
I possessed my temper despite the insult.
(Archaic) To cause (oneself) to own, hold, or master something, such as property or knowledge.
(Archaic) To gain or seize.
(transitive)
To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
He does not even possess a working telephone.
Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
(archaic)
(law) To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land).
(obsolete)
(intransitive)
To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with.
To inhabit or occupy a place.
To occupy in person; to hold or actually have in one's own keeping; to have and to hold.
Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power,After offense returning, to regainLove once possessed.
To have the legal title to; to have a just right to; to be master of; to own; to have; as, to possess property, an estate, a book.
I am yours, and all that I possess.
To obtain occupation or possession of; to accomplish; to gain; to seize.
How . . . to possess the purpose they desired.
To enter into and influence; to control the will of; to fill; to affect; - said especially of evil spirits, passions, etc.
Those which were possessed with devils.
For ten inspired, ten thousand are possessed.
To put in possession; to make the owner or holder of property, power, knowledge, etc.; to acquaint; to inform; - followed by of or with before the thing possessed, and now commonly used reflexively.
I have possessed your grace of what I purpose.
Record a gift . . . of all he dies possessedUnto his son.
We possessed our selves of the kingdom of Naples.
To possess our minds with an habitual good intention.
Have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill;
He possesses great knowledge about the Middle East
Have ownership or possession of;
He owns three houses in Florida
How many cars does she have?
Enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas;
What possessed you to buy this house?
A terrible rage possessed her
Possess Meaning in a Sentence
She doesn't possess the authority to make such a decision.
They possess the knowledge necessary to complete the project.
The ancient artifact is said to possess magical powers.
A sense of humor is an important trait to possess.
To be a great teacher, one should possess patience and creativity.
To enter the competition, you must possess a valid ID.
Many successful entrepreneurs possess a high level of resilience.
Wild animals possess instincts that help them survive.
This job requires candidates to possess advanced degrees.
They possess a great desire to improve their community.
To be effective, leaders must possess the ability to communicate clearly.
To master this skill, you need to possess both strength and flexibility.
Possess Idioms & Phrases
Possess a heart of gold
To be very kind and generous.
Despite his tough exterior, he possesses a heart of gold.
Come to possess
To acquire or come to own something.
She came to possess the painting through a relative who had no heirs.
Possess one's soul in patience
To remain patient and calm in a trying or difficult situation.
Though the process may be long and tedious, one must possess one's soul in patience.
Possess the floor
To have the right or opportunity to speak in a formal setting, such as a meeting or debate.
The chairman now possesses the floor and will address the assembly.
Possess your mind
To maintain control over your thoughts and emotions, especially in stressful situations.
In times of crisis, it's important to possess your mind and stay focused.
Possess a keen mind
To have a sharp or highly developed intellect.
The detective possesses a keen mind, able to solve puzzles that baffle others.
To possess no small skill
To be highly skilled or talented in a particular area.
She possesses no small skill in languages, speaking five fluently.
Possess oneself of
To take control of or acquire something, sometimes by questionable means.
He managed to possess himself of the documents before anyone else could see them.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Possess?
Derived from the Latin word "possidere."
What is the pronunciation of Possess?
/pəˈzɛs/
What is the singular form of Possess?
Possess is already in its singular verb form.
What is the plural form of Possess?
Not applicable as "Possess" is a verb.
Why is it called Possess?
It is called "Possess" from Latin "possidere," meaning "to occupy" or "to hold."
What is the verb form of Possess?
Possess is already in its verb form.
Is Possess an adverb?
No.
Which conjunction is used with Possess?
"And" is commonly used.
Is Possess an abstract noun?
"Possession" would be the related noun.
Which vowel is used before Possess?
The vowel 'o' is used before Possess.
Which preposition is used with Possess?
"Of" as in "possess of."
Is Possess a vowel or consonant?
Possess is a word, not a single vowel or consonant.
Is Possess a collective noun?
No.
Is the Possess term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically.
How do we divide Possess into syllables?
Pos-sess.
What is a stressed syllable in Possess?
The second syllable, "sess," is stressed.
Is the word Possess a Gerund?
No. "Possessing" would be the gerund.
Is the word “Possess” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As a verb, it can have a direct object, e.g., "I possess a book."
What part of speech is Possess?
Verb.
How many syllables are in Possess?
2 syllables.
What is the second form of Possess?
Possessed.
Which article is used with Possess?
It depends on the context, but "the" or "a" can be used.
Is Possess a negative or positive word?
Neutral. Context determines its connotation.
Is the word Possess imperative?
It can be used imperatively, e.g., "Possess yourself of this opportunity!"
Which determiner is used with Possess?
"That" or "this" can be used, depending on the context.
What is the first form of Possess?
Possess.
How is Possess used in a sentence?
I possess a keen interest in history.
Is Possess a noun or adjective?
Possess is a verb.
Is Possess a countable noun?
It is not a noun.
What is another term for Possess?
Own.
What is the opposite of Possess?
Lack.
What is the third form of Possess?
Possessed.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
