obsessive

[ uh b-ses-iv ]
/ əbˈsɛs ɪv /

adjective

being, pertaining to, or resembling an obsession: an obsessive fear of illness.
causing an obsession.
excessive, especially extremely so.

noun

someone who has an obsession or obsessions; a person who thinks or behaves in an obsessive manner.

Origin of obsessive

First recorded in 1910–15; obsess(ion) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM obsessive

Example sentences from the Web for obsessive

British Dictionary definitions for obsessive

obsessive
/ (əbˈsɛsɪv) /

adjective

psychiatry motivated by a persistent overriding idea or impulse, often associated with anxiety and mental illness
continually preoccupied with a particular activity, person, or thing

noun

psychiatry a person subject to obsession
a person who is continually preoccupied with a particular activity, person, or thing

Derived forms of obsessive

obsessively, adverb obsessiveness, noun

Medical definitions for obsessive

obsessive
[ əb-sĕsĭv, ŏb- ]

adj.

Of, characteristic of, or causing an obsession.

Other words from obsessive

ob•sessive n.