self-possessed
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-possessed
First recorded in 1760–70
Explanation
If you're self-possessed, you always seem to be calm and confident. It's easier to be successful as a substitute teacher if you're self-possessed than if you're nervous and uncertain. Someone who's particularly poised can be described as self-possessed. It's a hard quality to fake, but a worthwhile one to aspire to; other people tend to take you more seriously if you're self-possessed. The adjective self-possessed and noun self-possession first appeared in English around 1740, with the sense of "(in) command of one's emotions."
Vocabulary lists containing self-possessed
The Giver
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"The Open Window"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An even more welcome addition to our already bulging shelves is the belated arrival of a largely complete studio discography of Britain’s greatest conductor, and certainly its most self-possessed: the musical grandee Sir Thomas Beecham.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025
She’s become someone just as cruel, self-possessed and inconsiderate as Marion.
From Salon ● Mar. 2, 2025
"Mark is far more self-possessed and septical, possibly, of this company," says the 51-year-old, who played manager Ben Wyatt in comedy Parks and Recreation.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2025
Through the school office she arranged to buy the piece for $250, and she soon became friendly with Ms. Mackler, a brassy, self-possessed presence at the school.
From New York Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
It took a courageous and self-possessed woman to take such a step.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
