possessive

adjective pos·ses·sive \ 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

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possessively

adverb

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possessiveness

noun

See possessive defined for English-language learners

See possessive defined for kids

Examples of possessive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of possessive from the Web

An unhealthy motivation might be possessive feelings.

— beca grimm, GQ, "Location-Sharing Is Caring When You're in a Relationship," 30 Aug. 2017
Possessive males trying to pass on their genes would prefer that females use their sperm—and only their sperm—to fertilize their egg clutch.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "Whoa: Polygamous Wolf Spiders Have a Natural Form of Birth Control," 23 Aug. 2017
As Shayna became more possessive, Ryan's exasperation and concern grew.

— CBS News, "Obsessed: Part 2," 15 July 2017
As Shayna became more possessive, Ryan's exasperation and concern grew.

— CBS News, "Obsessed: Part 2," 15 July 2017
As Shayna became more possessive, Ryan's exasperation and concern grew.

— CBS News, "Obsessed," 15 July 2017
The Alpha female in charge is Jess’ smotheringly possessive best friend, Alice (Bell), who seems to have spent her undergraduate years earning advanced degrees in beer pong and foot-fetish sex play.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Not even Kate McKinnon and her Aussie accent can salvage 'Rough Night'," 15 June 2017
Also in the picture is Wynn (Kendrick Dial), Ida’s ambitious, possessive and tough-edged older boyfriend, who treats Klass with little but suspicion.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Blacktop' offers glimpses of pain, compassion," 12 June 2017
A lot of writers are really possessive about their own project.

— yohana desta, vanityfair.com, "Master of None’s Alessandra Mastronardi Still Gets Food-Porn Texts from Aziz Ansari," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'possessive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of possessive

15th century

possessive Synonyms

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

possessive

noun

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

Examples of possessive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of possessive from the Web

This type of possessive, fantasy relationship was behind another celebrity murder, the 1989 shooting of sitcom star Rebecca Schaeffer by an obsessed fan.

— erin moriarty, CBS News, "Stalked," 25 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of possessive

15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

POSSESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

possessive

adjective

Definition of possessive for English Language Learners

: 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