possessive
pronunciation
How to pronounce possessive in British English:
UK [pəˈzesɪv]
How to pronounce possessive in American English:
US [pəˈzɛsɪv]
-
- Adjective:
- serving to express or indicate possession
- desirous of owning
- having or showing a desire to control or dominate
Word Origin
- possessive (adj.)
- mid-15c. (grammatical, also as a noun); 1550s in general use, from Middle French possessif (15c.) "relating to possession, possessive," and directly from Latin possessivus, from possess-, past participle stem of possidere "to possess" (see possess). Related: Possessively; possessiveness.
Example
- 1. He 's very possessive towards his wife .
- 2. Could it be , though , that behind europe 's petty , possessive talk about rights and entitlements there is something more fundamental going on ?
- 3. Compare the pronouns and possessive adjectives below .
- 4. She does not like men who are protective or possessive .
- 5. He 's moody and possessive .