Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

obsess

/əbˈsɛs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.90 in modern English

Syllables: ob-sess
IPA: /əbˈsɛs/

8

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To be preoccupied with a single topic or emotion.

verb

To dominate the thoughts of someone.

Transitive verb

verb

To think or talk obsessively about.

Colloquial; Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"Some people are obsessed with sports."
"The [Isaac] Newton that emerges from the [unpublished] manuscripts is far from the popular image of a rational practitioner of cold and pure reason. The architect of modern science was himself not very modern. He was obsessed with alchemy."
"Over the past few months, RAIL has frequently condemned the Department for Transport for its growing contempt for rail customers - by obsessing on cost, caring nothing for service, and not having the slightest interest in growth."
"Thoughts of her obsess my every waking moment."
"Stop obsessing over it, will you!"

Etymology

From Latin obsessus, perfect passive participle of obsideō (“sit on or in, remain, besiege”), from ob- (“before”) + sedeō (“to sit”); see sit, session, etc.; compare assess, possess.

Word Breakdown

Root: *sed-

Usage

Inflected Forms

obsesses (present, singular) obsessing (participle, present) obsessed (participle, past) obsessed (past)

Derived Forms

obsessee obsessingly obsessive obsessoid obsessor

Frequently Paired Words

obsession

Synonyms

fixate haunt ghost

Rhymes With

yes less guess press success unless vs dress stress express mess des

Questions

How do you pronounce obsess?: The recorded pronunciation is /əbˈsɛs/.
What does obsess mean?: To be preoccupied with a single topic or emotion.
Where does obsess come from?: From Latin obsessus, perfect passive participle of obsideō (“sit on or in, remain, besiege”), from ob- (“before”) + sedeō (“to sit”); see sit, session, etc.; compare assess, possess.

How to pronounce obsess

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