possessive
/pə'zesiv/
Definition
Adjective:
- Desiring to own or control: Having or showing a strong desire to own things or control people, often to an excessive degree.
- Indicating ownership: In grammar, used to show that something belongs to or is connected with someone or something.
Noun:
- The grammatical case of ownership: In some languages, the grammatical case used to show possession or a close relationship.
- A possessive word: A word (like a pronoun or adjective) that indicates possession.
Usage and Examples
Adjective (Behavioral):
- He has a possessive attitude towards his friends and gets jealous easily.
- A possessive partner may try to control who you see.
Adjective (Grammatical):
- "My," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their" are possessive adjectives.
- In the phrase "the cat's toy," the 's is a possessive ending.
Noun (Grammatical):
- In Old English, nouns changed their form in the possessive.
- The word "mine" can function as a possessive.
Advanced Usage
- "to be possessive of/over someone/something": To show an excessive desire to control or own.
- She is very possessive of her personal space.
- He became possessive over the project, refusing any help.
Variants and Related Words
Possessiveness (n): The quality or state of being possessive.
- His possessiveness eventually drove his friends away.
Possess (v): To have or own something.
- She possesses great talent.
Synonyms
- Controlling: Exercising restraint or direction over.
- Dominating: Having a commanding influence over.
- Clingy: Excessively dependent on or attached to someone.
- Proprietary: Relating to an owner or ownership.
Antonyms
- Sharing: Willing to let others use or enjoy something jointly.
- Detached: Aloof and objective; not emotionally involved.
- Unselfish: Willing to put the needs of others before one's own.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Possessive streak: A tendency to be possessive.
- He has a possessive streak when it comes to his books.
Adjective
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having or showing a desire to control or dominate
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a possessive parent
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desirous of owning
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small children are so possessive they will not let others play with their toys
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serving to express or indicate possession
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possessive pronouns
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the genitive endings
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Noun
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the case expressing ownership
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