prepossessing

[ pree-puh-zes-ing ]

adjective

1. that impresses favorably; engaging or attractive:

   a confident and prepossessing young man.

prepossessing

/ ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ /

adjective

1. creating a favourable impression; attractive

Derived Forms

• ˌpreposˈsessingly, adverb
• ˌpreposˈsessingness, noun

Other Words From

• prepos·sessing·ly adverb
• prepos·sessing·ness noun
• unpre·pos·sessing adjective
• unpre·pos·sessing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepossessing¹

First recorded in 1635–45; prepossess + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He was not a physically prepossessing young fellow.

From New York Times

Even the British explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton wasn’t immune: “Truly prepossessing was our first view of the then mysterious island of Zanzibar,” he wrote in “Zanzibar: City, Island, and Coast” in 1872.

From New York Times

It was the first time in his life he had been summoned to a principal’s office for disciplinary reasons and he did not find the circumstances prepossessing in any way.

From Literature

McLEAN, Va. — The campaign manager spoke about her candidate’s race with a veteran’s prepossessing self-assurance.

From New York Times

She was by all accounts a prepossessing woman, with flaxen, pompadoured hair and blue eyes.

From Washington Post