How to pronounce possessed
Say it like puh-ZEST. Possessed has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZEST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce possessed. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ZEST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Possessed pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZESTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of possessed
American and British speakers say possessed in essentially the same way: /pəˈzɛst/ in the US and /pəˈzɛst/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-ZEST.
What does possessed mean?
- influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion“by love possessed”
- of, pertaining to, or like a demon or possession by a demon
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with possessed
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of possessed.
Questions about saying possessed
How do you pronounce possessed?
Say puh-ZEST. The American pronunciation is /pəˈzɛst/. In British English it is /pəˈzɛst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in possessed?
Possessed has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZEST). Broken into parts: puh · ZEST.
Do Americans and Brits say possessed the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈzɛst/ and the British form is /pəˈzɛst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.