top definitions
related content
examples
british

self-possessed

[ self-puh-zest, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf pəˈzɛst, ˌsɛlf- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR self-possessed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Origin of self-possessed

First recorded in 1830–40

SYNONYMS FOR self-possessed

calm, collected, serene, cool, sedate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR self-possessed ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM self-possessed

self-pos·sess·ed·ly

[self-puh-zes-id-lee, -zest-lee, self-] /ˈsɛlf pəˈzɛs ɪd li, -ˈzɛst li, ˌsɛlf-/, adverb un·self-pos·sessed, adjective

Words nearby self-possessed

self-plagiarism, self-poised, self-pollinate, self-pollination, self-portrait, self-possessed, self-possession, self-praise, self-preservation, self-pride, self-proclaimed

Example sentences from the Web for self-possessed

Later, when I interviewed Bolotov, a tall, self-possessed man, no apology for the confrontation was offered.

Ukraine Separatists Say No to Putin |Jamie Dettmer |May 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The saucy and self-possessed singer had kicked her cocaine drug habit and hired a new manager, Lupe De Leon.

Etta James’s Son Donto Says Addiction Was Part of Famed Singer’s Life |Christine Pelisek |November 15, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Neither trigger-happy nor hesitant, but steely, self-possessed, and clear-eyed.

Apocalypse When? |Lee Siegel |August 28, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Even the more polished, informed, self-possessed Romney seems cursed with an Eddie Haskell air of insincerity and deceitfulness.

Obama’s Risky Belittling Tactic |Lee Siegel |July 1, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

By the late 1980s, the saucy and self-possessed singer had kicked her drug habit and hired a new manager, Lupe De Leon.

The War Over Etta James' Fortune |Christine Pelisek |March 8, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
It merely looked cool, self-possessed, and—so Lady Holme said to herself—extremely American.

The Woman With The Fan |Robert Hichens
All at once he felt that in him were two persons, so to speak: one really bewildered, the other wise and self-possessed.

The Pharaoh and the Priest |Alexander Glovatski
Her eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying a week, but she was strangely calm and self-possessed.

The Little Colonel's Chum: Mary Ware |Annie Fellows Johnston
He drew a dozen long breaths before he was again the cold, self-possessed, steely-eyed avenger.

The Boss of Little Arcady |Harry Leon Wilson
Her face was winning and her self-possessed manner is still the talk of her old-time associates.

Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast |Samuel Adams Drake

British Dictionary definitions for self-possessed

self-possessed

adjective

having control of one's emotions, etc

Derived forms of self-possessed

self-possessedly, adverb self-possession, noun