Meaning & Definition of word "Possessive"
to
Possessive
/pəˈzɛsɪv/
noun:
- 1. a grammatical form that indicates ownership.
- Example: In the sentence 'Jane's book,' 'Jane's' is a possessive.
- 2. a person who exhibits possessive behavior.
- Example: He became a possessive when he feared losing her to someone else.
adjective:
- 1. relating to ownership or possession; indicating that something belongs to someone.
- Example: She had a possessive attitude towards her belongings, never wanting to share.
- 2. characterized by an excessive desire to own or control.
- Example: His possessive nature made it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
Etymology
From Latin 'possessivus', from 'possessio'
Common Phrases and Expressions
possessive about someone:
excessively protective or jealous regarding someone's affections or actions
possessive pronoun:
a pronoun that denotes ownership, such as 'his' or 'their'
possessive case:
a grammatical case indicating ownership
Related Words
possess:
to have or own something
ownership:
the act of possessing something
possessor:
a person who owns or possesses something
Slang Meanings of possessive
Meaning: clingy
Example Sentence: He can be really clingy, like overly possessive.
Meaning: jealous
Example Sentence: She's so jealous, it's like she's in possessive mode.