adj
possessive
puh-ZEHS-ihv
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
Word Forms
more possessive comparative, possessives plural, most possessive superlative
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Etymology
From Latin possessivus, "relating to possession."