How to pronounce possessiveness
Say it like puh-ZES-iv-nus. Possessiveness has four 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 possessiveness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ZES
- iv
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Possessiveness 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.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of possessiveness
American and British speakers say possessiveness in essentially the same way: /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/ in the US and /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-ZES-iv-nus.
What does possessiveness mean?
- The quality of being possessive; the desire to obsessively and exclusively control another person.
Where does possessiveness come from?
From possessive + -ness.
Words that rhyme with possessiveness
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of possessiveness.
Questions about saying possessiveness
How do you pronounce possessiveness?
Say puh-ZES-iv-nus. The American pronunciation is /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/. In British English it is /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in possessiveness?
Possessiveness has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZES). Broken into parts: puh · ZES · iv · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say possessiveness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/ and the British form is /pəˈzɛsɪvnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.