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
possessively
adverbpossessiveness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
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
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As Shayna became more possessive, Ryan's exasperation and concern grew.
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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.
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Also in the picture is Wynn (Kendrick Dial), Ida’s ambitious, possessive and tough-edged older boyfriend, who treats Klass with little but suspicion.
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Popular evolutionary psychology holds that jealousy is innate, a biological imperative that evolved to guarantee watchful, possessive males some certainty of their offspring’s paternity.
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An early possessive shift by the Ducks ended with Getzlaf snapping another wrist shot past Talbot to start the comeback.
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But the running back un-retired to come back with his hometown Oakland Raiders, which is the type of thing that could rub some overly possessive fans wrong.
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As Shayna became more possessive, Ryan's exasperation and concern grew.
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But, according to DeKalb County prosecutors, Dominique Richardson was possessive and jealous already with Taylor Holcombe, a 22-year-old with a smile of brilliant white.
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
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
possessive
Definition of possessive
1 : a possessive word or word group
2a : the possessive caseb : a word in the possessive case
Examples of possessive in a Sentence
“Your” and “yours” are possessives.
The possessive of “it” is “its.”
First Known Use of possessive
15th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
POSSESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners
possessive
playDefinition of possessive for English Language Learners
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: not willing to share things with or lend things to other people
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: wanting all of someone's attention and love
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grammar : relating to a word or a form of a word that shows that something or someone belongs to something or someone else
possessive
Definition of possessive for English Language Learners
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: a possessive word or phrase
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the possessive : the form of a word that shows possession or belonging
POSSESSIVE Defined for Kids
Definition of possessive for Students
1 : being or belonging to the case of a noun or pronoun that shows possession “His” is a possessive pronoun.
2 : showing the desire to possess or control : unwilling to share
Definition of possessive for Students
: a word or form of a word that shows possession
Learn More about possessive
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for possessive Spanish Central: Translation of possessive Nglish: Translation of possessive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of possessive for Arabic speakers
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