obsessive

[ uh b-ses-iv ]
/ əbˈsɛs ɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obsessive ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby obsessive

observe, observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsidian, obsidian dating, obsidional coin

Words related to obsessiveness

intolerance, zeal, bigotry, hatred, extremism, zealotry, madness, abandonment, dogma, unruliness, bias, infatuation, transport, stubbornness, obstinacy, passion, injustice, tenacity, partisanship, enthusiasm

British Dictionary definitions for obsessiveness

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 obsessiveness

obsessive
[ əb-sĕs′ĭv, ŏb- ]

adj.

Of, characteristic of, or causing an obsession.

Other words from obsessive

ob•ses′sive n.