possessive

¹pos·ses·sive

adjective \pə-ˈze-siv also -ˈse-\

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

Examples of POSSESSIVE

1. If you marry him, he is only going to become even more jealous and possessive than he is now.
2. The possessive form of “dog” is “dog's.”
3. “His” and “her” are possessive pronouns.

First Known Use of POSSESSIVE

15th century

Related to POSSESSIVE

Synonyms

jealous

Related Words

controlling, demanding, domineering, grasping; covetous, envious, invidious, jaundiced; distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious; overprotective, protective

Near Antonyms

undemanding; permissive, tolerant, tolerating, trustful, trusting, understanding

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

²possessive

noun

Definition of POSSESSIVE

1

: a possessive word or word group

2

a : the possessive case

b : a word in the possessive case

Examples of POSSESSIVE

1. “Your” and “yours” are possessives.
2. The possessive of “it” is “its.”

First Known Use of POSSESSIVE

15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with POSSESSIVE

aggressive, caressive, compressive, concessive, degressive, depressive, digressive, excessive, expressive, impressive, ingressive, obsessive, oppressive, progressive, recessive, regressive, successive, suppressive, transgressive