possessive
puh-ZEHS-ihv
Possessive (adj) means Reluctant to share or give up something one considers one's own. Example: “He gets possessive about his tools.”
adj
1
Reluctant to share or give up something one considers one's own.
"He gets possessive about his tools."
"She was possessive of her friendships in school."
noun
1
The grammatical case or form showing ownership.
""John's" is the possessive form of "John.""
How to use possessive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnwilling to share something, or the grammar term for showing ownership (like adding 's).
Common pairings
possessive pronoun
get possessive
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Word forms
- Plural
- possessives
- Comparative
- more possessive
- Superlative
- most possessive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gets _____ about his tools.
Etymology
From Latin possessivus, "relating to possession."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for possessive
See all rhymes for possessive →Frequently asked questions
What does “possessive” mean?
The word “possessive” means reluctant to share or give up something one considers one's own. In plain terms, unwilling to share something, or the grammar term for showing ownership (like adding 's).
How do you pronounce “possessive”?
“Possessive” is pronounced puh-ZEHS-ihv (/pəˈzɛs.ɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “possessive” in a sentence?
Here is “possessive” used in a sentence: “He gets possessive about his tools.”
What part of speech is “possessive”?
Depending on how it is used, “possessive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “possessive” come from?
The word “possessive” comes from Latin. From Latin possessivus, "relating to possession.".
Is “possessive” a common word?
“Possessive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “possessive” have?
“Possessive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: reluctant to share or give up something one considers one's own.
