How to pronounce possessive
Say it like puh-ZES-iv. Possessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce possessive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ZES
- iv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Possessive 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.
- ZESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of possessive
American and British speakers say possessive in essentially the same way: /pəˈzɛsɪv/ in the US and /pəˈzɛsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-ZES-iv.
What does possessive mean?
- Of or pertaining to ownership or possession.
- Indicating ownership, possession, origin, etc.
- Unwilling to yield possession of.“He is very possessive of his car.”
- The possessive case.
- A word used to indicate the possessive case.
Where does possessive come from?
From Middle French possessif, from Latin possessivus (“of or pertaining to possession”), from possessiō (“possessing”), from possidēre (“to possess”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with possessive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of possessive.
Questions about saying possessive
How do you pronounce possessive?
Say puh-ZES-iv. The American pronunciation is /pəˈzɛsɪv/. In British English it is /pəˈzɛsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in possessive?
Possessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZES). Broken into parts: puh · ZES · iv.
Do Americans and Brits say possessive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈzɛsɪv/ and the British form is /pəˈzɛsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.