B1adjectiverelationshipslanguage
US/pəˈzes.ɪv/
UK/pəˈzes.ɪv/
wanting to keep someone or something for yourself; also, showing who owns something
In context
He is very possessive and gets upset when she meets friends.
The child was possessive of his toys and refused to share.
In the phrase "my book", the word "my" is a possessive adjective.
Words that go with possessive
adjective + preposition
- possessive ofShe is very possessive of her time.
adjective + noun
- possessive formAdd an apostrophe and s to make the possessive form of most nouns.
- possessive pronoun"Mine" is a possessive pronoun.
- possessive adjectiveUse a possessive adjective before the noun.
- possessive caseEnglish marks the possessive case with an apostrophe.
adverb + adjective
- overly possessiveHis overly possessive mother called every hour.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is possessive with his girlfriend.Correct: He is possessive of his girlfriend.