prepossessing

[pree-puh-zes-ing]

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adjective

that impresses favorably; engaging or attractive: a confident and prepossessing young man.

Origin of prepossessing

First recorded in 1635–45; prepossess + -ing²

Related formspre·pos·sess·ing·ly, adverbpre·pos·sess·ing·ness, nounun·pre·pos·sess·ing, adjectiveun·pre·pos·sess·ing·ly, adverb

prepossess

[pree-puh-zes]

verb (used with object)

to possess or dominate mentally beforehand, as a prejudice does.

to prejudice or bias, especially favorably.

to impress favorably beforehand or at the outset.

Origin of prepossess

First recorded in 1605–15; pre- + possess

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for prepossessing

alluring, fascinating, inviting, striking, fetching, charming, taking, winning, engaging, appealing, bewitching, enchanting, pleasing, drawing, fair, captivating, amiable, beautiful, good-looking, likable

Examples from the Web for prepossessing

Historical Examples of prepossessing

They were, all in all, the least prepossessing group he had ever seen.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
"He is a person of most prepossessing manners," said Mrs. Merton.
Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Mr. Errett's personal appearance is striking and prepossessing.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin
I assumed a form most prepossessing and most amiable in her eyes.
Imogen
William Godwin
He was wise, brave, ambitious and most prepossessing in appearance.
Chit-Chat; Nirvana; The Searchlight
Mathew Joseph Holt

British Dictionary definitions for prepossessing

prepossessing

adjective

creating a favourable impression; attractive

Derived Formsprepossessingly, adverbprepossessingness, noun

prepossess

verb (tr)

to preoccupy or engross mentally

to influence in advance for or against a person or thing; prejudice; bias

to make a favourable impression on beforehand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prepossessing

adj.

1640s, "causing prejudice," present participle adjective from prepossess. Opposite meaning "causing agreeable first impression" first recorded 1805.

prepossess

1610s, "to get possession of beforehand," from pre- + possess. Meaning "to possess (a person) beforehand with a feeling, notion, etc." is from 1630s; specifically, "to cause (someone) to have a favorable opinion of something" (1640s). Related: Prepossessed; prepossessing.