possessive

¹pos·ses·sive

adj \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

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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