possessive
adjective
pos·ses·sive
| \ pÉ-Ëze-siv also -Ëse-
\
\
Definition of possessive
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
possessive
nounDefinition of possessive (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a possessive word or word group
2a
: the possessive case
b
: a word in the possessive case
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Examples of possessive in a Sentence
Adjective
If you marry him, he is only going to become even more jealous and possessive than he is now. The possessive form of âdogâ is âdog's.â âHisâ and âherâ are possessive pronouns.Noun
âYourâ and âyoursâ are possessives. The possessive of âitâ is âits.â
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Something both possessive and devil-may-care in it. — Deborah Garrison, The New Yorker, "Telephone Years," 19 Aug. 2019 Prosecutors described Grimes as jealous and possessive, a man angry at being disrespected in front of his friends by a woman. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "Man sentenced to life in prison for shooting, killing his girlfriend after argument," 19 July 2019 But with Saigon falling, and Kim already betrothed to the ferociously possessive Thuy (Jinwoo Jung, a brooding and commanding presence), separation is inevitable. — James Hebert, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: A pair of powerful performances help redeem sprawling, uneasy spectacle of âMiss Saigonâ," 11 July 2019 Your possessive side emerges when dealing with others. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 18 June 2019 Coming from a hunting term referencing pointer dog breedsâ aptitude for tracking down fallen fowl, the expression has undeniably possessive undertones. — Amanda Montell, Glamour, "From Ghosting to Going Steady, Here's a Guide to the History of Dating Slang," 31 May 2019 The response comes just after Hailey addressed the possessive nature of fans in an interview with Cosmopolitan. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Justin Bieber Shut Down People Accusing Him of Marrying Hailey Bieber to Get Back at Ex-Girlfriend Selena Gomez," 26 Mar. 2019 Introduced to Nickâs fiercely possessive mother, Eleanor ( Michelle Yeoh ), and to his extended family, Rachel discovers a sprawling precinct of super-privilege where the notion of excess has been annulled. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "âCrazy Rich Asiansâ Review: Conspicuously Consuming Fun," 16 Aug. 2018 Your more possessive side could emerge with a power play. — BostonGlobe.com, "For Attorney General Maura Healey, sports were crucial to success," 11 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
But with great power comes great responsibility: 8 breeds workaholics, and on a bad day, can become excessively controlling and possessive. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "The Basics of Numerology: How to Calculate Your Life Path and Destiny Numbers," 16 July 2018 Luckily, Salander is a more compelling, surprising, and complex character than Blomkvist, in his possessive and protective desire, can see. — Alice Bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018 Tully is endlessly open and nurturing without seeming possessive, helpful without seeming controlling. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Tully Is a Daring, and Baffling, Look at Motherhood," 4 May 2018 Thatâs next-level possessive and a product of unchecked toxic masculinity. — Jill Gutowitz, Glamour, "After Watching 'Fifty Shades Freed,' I Have One Question: Are Straight People OK?," 9 Feb. 2018 That only plays into the hands of someone possessive. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Brother and his new wife perceive every invitation as a threat to couple time," 9 Jan. 2018 That only plays into the hands of someone possessive. — Carolyn Hax, idahostatesman, "Brother and his new wife perceive every invitation as a threat to couple time | Idaho Statesman," 9 Jan. 2018 But with great power comes great responsibility: 8 breeds workaholics, and on a bad day, can become excessively controlling and possessive. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "The Basics of Numerology: How to Calculate Your Life Path and Destiny Numbers," 16 July 2018 Luckily, Salander is a more compelling, surprising, and complex character than Blomkvist, in his possessive and protective desire, can see. — Alice Bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for possessive
possessive
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of possessive
(Entry 1 of 2)
: not willing to share things with or lend things to other people
: wanting all of someone's attention and love
grammar
: relating to a word or a form of a word that shows that something or someone belongs to something or someone else
possessive
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of possessive (Entry 2 of 2)
grammar
: a possessive word or phrase
: the form of a word that shows possession or belonging
See the full definition for possessive in the English Language Learners Dictionary
possessive
adjective
pos·ses·sive
| \ pÉ-Ëze-siv
\
\
Kids Definition of possessive
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: being or belonging to the case of a noun or pronoun that shows possession
âHisâ is a possessive pronoun.
2
: showing the desire to possess or control : unwilling to share
possessive
nounKids Definition of possessive (Entry 2 of 2)
: a word or form of a word that shows possession