retentive

[ ri-ten-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending or serving to retain something.
2. having power or capacity to retain.
3. having power or ability to remember; having a good memory.

retentive

/ rɪˈtɛntɪv /

adjective

1. having the capacity to retain or remember

Derived Forms

• reˈtentiveness, noun
• reˈtentively, adverb

Other Words From

• re·tentive·ly adverb
• re·tentive·ness noun
• nonre·tentive adjective
• nonre·tentive·ly adverb
• nonre·tentive·ness noun
• unre·tentive adjective
• unre·tentive·ly adverb
• unre·tentive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retentive¹

1325–75; Middle English retentif < Middle French < Medieval Latin retentīvus, equivalent to Latin retent ( us ) ( retention ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

The curators were struck by the fact that Barnor “had so many stories — it was unusual to hear the voice of a living photographer who has such a great mind and retentive memory,” Quarcoopome said.

From New York Times

In Texas — well, hell, Texas has always been anally retentive when it comes to social issues, so nothing new there.

From Salon

Unsurprisingly, in a state controlled by a retentive fascist like Gov. Ron DeSantis, the books deemed too dangerous to read mostly involve ideas like "gay couples exist" and "there was once a civil rights movement."

From Salon

His was the most nimble and retentive mind I’ve ever worked with closely over time.

From New York Times

It was a great consolation that Mr. Elton should not be really in love with her, or so particularly amiable as to make it shocking to disappoint him—that Harriet’s nature should not be of that superior sort in which the feelings are most acute and retentive—and that there could be no necessity for any body’s knowing what had passed except the three principals, and especially for her father’s being given a moment’s uneasiness about it.

From Literature

Related Words

• cohesive
• determined
• dogged
• forceful
• persistent
• relentless
• resolute
• spunky
• staunch
• steadfast
• stout
• strong-willed
• stubborn
• tough
• unswerving