possessive

[ puh-zes-iv ]

adjective

1. jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one's own upon, a child, spouse, etc.
2. desirous of possessing, especially excessively so:

   Young children are so possessive they will not allow others to play with their toys; a possessive lover.

3. of or relating to possession or ownership.
4. Grammar.
   1. indicating possession, ownership, origin, etc. His in his book is a possessive adjective. His in The book is his is a possessive pronoun.
   2. noting or pertaining to a case that indicates possession, ownership, origin, etc., as, in English, John's in John's hat.

noun

, Grammar.

1. the possessive case.
2. a form in the possessive.

possessive

/ pəˈzɛsɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to possession or ownership
2. having or showing an excessive desire to possess, control, or dominate

   a possessive mother

3. grammar
   1. another word for genitive
   2. denoting an inflected form of a noun or pronoun used to convey the idea of possession, association, etc, as my or Harry's

noun

1. grammar
   1. the possessive case
   2. a word or speech element in the possessive case

possessive

1. The case of a noun or pronoun that shows possession. Nouns are usually made possessive by adding an apostrophe and s : “The bicycle is Sue's , not Mark's .” Possessive pronouns can take the place of possessive nouns: “The bicycle is hers , not his .” ( See nominative case and objective case .)

Derived Forms

• posˈsessiveness, noun
• posˈsessively, adverb

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of possessive¹

From the Latin word possessīvus, dating back to 1520–30. See possess, -ive

Example Sentences

Later, they sent an updated transcript that changed it again to "supporter's" — a singular possessive that would mean Hinchcliffe's comment.

From Salon

“I liked the experimental side of it. And we only achieved that because Jacques was not possessive over his words, his lines. That was incredibly collaborative. But also very freeing.”

From Los Angeles Times

And I know you’ve talked about it and you’ve shared that you understand as a writer being possessive of your work.

From Los Angeles Times

Less often examined is the mechanics of “Star Wars” as a brand with emotional staying power and Gen X’s insidiously possessive attitude concerning the original trilogy.

From Salon

Ted grows possessive with Marvin, not appreciating that his newfound friend’s childlike wonder is being diverted from his canvases to Susan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• selfish