self-possessed

American  

[self-puh-zest, self-] / ˈsɛlf pəˈzɛst, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

1. having or showing control of one's feelings, behavior, etc.; composed; poised.

   Synonyms:

   sedate, cool, serene, collected, calm

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self-possessed British  

adjective

1. having control of one's emotions, etc

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Other Word Forms

• self-possessedly adverb
• self-possession noun
• unself-possessed adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-possessed

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

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

The usually self-possessed Edward Ashton was muttering and half mad after his failed tour of Switzerland.

From Literature

It’s impossible to know if Smith was really this self-possessed and ruminative as a child or if nostalgia has altered her perspective.

From Los Angeles Times

He unabashedly leans into that vibe here, even while wrangling his pair of self-possessed cats.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s become someone just as cruel, self-possessed and inconsiderate as Marion.

From Salon