# obsess

> English word · Verb · IPA /əbˈsɛs/ · frequency rank #32,948

## Definitions
1. To be preoccupied with a single topic or emotion.
2. To dominate the thoughts of someone.
3. To think or talk obsessively about.

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

## Easily confused with
- **obsessed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/obsess-vs-obsessed)
- **obese** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/obese-vs-obsess)

## Common misspellings (7)
`bosess`, `obbsess`, `obesss`, `obses`, `obsses`, `obssess`, `osbess`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/obsess