possessive adjective

noun

: a pronominal adjective expressing possession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Suddenly, pronouns and possessive adjectives are on everyone’s minds.

Christopher O. Blum, National Review, 12 Sep. 2019 That’s true despite the possessive adjective in the title, or the fact that the director, an artist, plays an artist, Ellie.

Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'possessive adjective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of possessive adjective was in 1870

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near possessive adjective

possessive

possessive adjective

possessive pronoun

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Possessive adjective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possessive%20adjective. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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