These words refer to the relationship between a person and his belongings or to anything and its attributes. Possess and own both stress belongings; possess is slightly more formal: people who large quantities of material goods; families who own at least one television set. But own suggests some legal act of acquisition, whereas possess may simply refer to goods that now belong to someone, however acquired: hire-purchase instalments that allow customers to possess goods before they can be said to own them fully. Possess , is often used to relate something to its attributes, while own is unlikely to be used in this way: a face possessing great strength of character.

Have is the least specific of these words and is far less clear than the rest about the kind of relationship suggested. It may be used as an informal substitute for either possess or own : a way of smiling that has great charm; families that have more than one car. In a slang sense conveying a suggestion of possessing , have also means to assert power over: One more idea like that and I’ll have you for it. A related use, usually with "on," means to keep guessing in a teasing way: I’m sure he was having you on and was not really serious.

Hold and keep add suggestions of retention or control to possess or own . Hold can mean to guard something against seizure, even from someone who may rightfully own it: holding the land despite legal notices to surrender it. Compared to have, it stresses conviction: have an opinion; hold an opinion. It can also substitute for own , in which case it has a legal tone and may suggest resources not actually used: holding estates in Ireland that he had never seen. It can be used in reference to something put in trust for someone else who actually owns it: holding the moneys for you until you come of age. Keep may suggest preventing someone else from possessing something: keeping the aspirin away from the children. It may also stress safety or emotional attachment: keeping the bonds in a strongbox; wishing to keep the programme as a souvenir.