possessive

1 of 2

adjective

pos·​ses·​sive pə-ˈze-siv How to pronounce possessive (audio)
also -ˈse-
Synonyms of possessive
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
possessively adverb
possessiveness noun

possessive

2 of 2

noun

1
: a possessive word or word group
2
a
: the possessive case
b
: a word in the possessive case

Synonyms of possessive

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Adjective

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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 “dog” is “dog's.” “His” and “her” are possessive pronouns. Noun “Your” and “yours” are possessives. The possessive of “it” is “its.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Obsession follows a socially awkward young man named Bear, who finds himself at a crossroads when his wish to win the heart of his longtime crush takes on frighteningly possessive consequences. — Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
Tyler Perry is the type of filmmaker whose name can appear as a possessive in front of a movie’s title. — Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 The possessive in the title of Zack Snyder’s Justice League says it all. — K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2021 See All Example Sentences for possessive

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of possessive was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing possessive

Rhymes for possessive

See All Rhymes for possessive

Browse Nearby Words

possessionless
possessive
possessive adjective
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Possessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possessive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

possessive

1 of 2 adjective
pos·​ses·​sive pə-ˈzes-iv How to pronounce possessive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case that shows ownership or a similar relation
2
: showing the desire to possess or control
a possessive attitude
possessively adverb
possessiveness noun

possessive

2 of 2 noun
1
: the possessive case
2
: a noun or pronoun in the possessive case
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