Dictionary
1possessive
adjective pos·ses·sive \pə-ˈze-siv also -ˈse-\
: not willing to share things with or lend things to other people
: wanting all of someone's attention and love
grammar : relating to a word or a form of a word that shows that something or someone belongs to something or someone else
Full Definition of POSSESSIVE
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a word, a word group, or a grammatical case that denotes ownership or a relation analogous to ownership
2
: manifesting possession or the desire to own or dominate
— pos·ses·sive·ly adverb
— pos·ses·sive·ness noun
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First Known Use of POSSESSIVE
15th century
Related to POSSESSIVE
- Synonyms
- jealous
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2possessive
noun
: a possessive word or phrase
the possessive : the form of a word that shows possession or belonging
Full Definition of POSSESSIVE
1
: a possessive word or word group
2
a : the possessive case b : a word in the possessive case
See possessive defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of POSSESSIVE
15th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with POSSESSIVE
POSSESSIVE Defined for Kids
1possessive
adjective pos·ses·sive \pə-ˈze-siv\
Definition of POSSESSIVE for Kids
1
: being or belonging to the case of a noun or pronoun that shows possession <“His” is a possessive pronoun.>
2
: showing the desire to possess or control : unwilling to share
2possessive
noun
Definition of POSSESSIVE for Kids
: a word or form of a word that shows possession
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Next Word in the Dictionary: possessive adjectivePrevious Word in the Dictionary: possessionistAll Words Near: possessive
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