obsessive

[ uhb-ses-iv ]

adjective

1. being, pertaining to, or resembling an obsession:

   an obsessive fear of illness.

2. causing an obsession.
3. excessive, especially extremely so.

noun

1. someone who has an obsession or obsessions; a person who thinks or behaves in an obsessive manner.

obsessive

/ əbˈsɛsɪv /

adjective

1. psychiatry motivated by a persistent overriding idea or impulse, often associated with anxiety and mental illness
2. continually preoccupied with a particular activity, person, or thing

noun

1. psychiatry a person subject to obsession
2. a person who is continually preoccupied with a particular activity, person, or thing

Derived Forms

• obˈsessiveness, noun
• obˈsessively, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·sessive·ly adverb
• ob·sessive·ness noun
• nonob·sessive adjective
• nonob·sessive·ly adverb
• nonob·sessive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsessive¹

First recorded in 1910–15; obsess(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

In more extreme cases, Professor Gillan's research has shown that it can even contribute to compulsive behaviours seen in conditions such as obsessive compulsivedisorder, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

From Science Daily

How obsessive are you when it comes to taking care of your voice?

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps few places have been more obsessive followers of the rankings than Florida, where a state law encourages public universities to aim for high rankings.

From New York Times

But Currentzis is also controversial because he is, on one hand, an obsessive perfectionist and, on the other, a showy radical with highly original musical ideas.

From Los Angeles Times

“It won’t be the obsessive fascination with this novel phenomenon that it was last time,” said Andrew Heyward, a former CBS News president who now advises media companies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bigoted
• dogmatic
• enthusiastic
• fervent
• frenzied
• impassioned
• narrow-minded
• passionate
• rabid
• single-minded
• stubborn
• violent
• zealous