prepossessing

[ pree-puh-zes-ing ]
See synonyms for prepossessing on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. that impresses favorably; engaging or attractive: a confident and prepossessing young man.

Origin of prepossessing

1
First recorded in 1635–45; prepossess + -ing2

Other words from prepossessing

  • 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

Words Nearby prepossessing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prepossessing in a sentence

  • "I'm quite aware that my appearance is not prepossessing," said the Hole-keeper, with a scornful look at the Goblin.

    Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
  • Now Dabbler was a widower; he was not of prepossessing appearance, and his h's troubled him, but Dabbler was a warm man.

  • There is a class of men ever ready to chatter with servants, particularly if they are of prepossessing appearance.

  • Here was a foreign woman, of prepossessing appearance, administering sounding osculations to his unwilling fingers.

  • In 1846 the chancel, which isn't anything very prepossessing, was added to the church.

British Dictionary definitions for prepossessing

prepossessing

/ (ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ) /


adjective
  1. creating a favourable impression; attractive

Derived forms of prepossessing

  • prepossessingly, adverb
  • prepossessingness, noun

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