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obsessive Definition

ob·ses·sive (əb ses′iv)

adjective

of, having the nature of, or causing an obsession or obsessions

noun

a person who has obsessive thoughts

obsessive Related Forms

ob·ses′·sively adverb ob·ses′·sive·ness noun

obsessive Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • thing: There was no need to get obsessive about these things.
  • hygiene: I also became obsessive about hygiene, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom more than normal.
  • anything: Here's what you need to know By Susannah Hickling Amanda Raby is obsessive about anything that touches her lips.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • get: Dean is getting a bit too obsessive for Rory.
  • become: Simon Keep originally become a sound obsessive whilst studying at art school, making sound installation and electro-acoustic composition.

Modifies a noun

  • disorder: Panic attacks may also be part of a phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder.
  • compulsion: This is a quirky story about love, fear and obsessive compulsion.
  • preoccupation: Hence our obsessive preoccupation with them this part pulls us obsessively, wanting to emerge from hiding.
  • secrecy: I have been pleased to find there is not the obsessive secrecy I'd come to expect during my previous marriage.
  • fascination: When their enchantment turns to obsessive fascination, however, the story takes on a darker edge.
  • quest: We are never remotely in doubt about who to root for here; even Edmond's obsessive quest for revenge is morally pure!

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: To these ends, DEFRA has been almost obsessive about secrecy.
  • slightly: A pressured schedule toward mid month may make you slightly obsessive or too intense.
  • rather: I'm the wrong person to ask about this, being rather obsessive fan of the bard and filmic adaptations of his work.
  • quite: Our hunt for this band has been a long and tireless affair and quite obsessive at times.
  • even: The threat could come from terrorists, rivals or even obsessive fans.
  • too: Dean is getting a bit too obsessive for Rory.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Let me tell you a story about a man who became obsessive in his exercise of free speech.
  • get: There was no need to get obsessive about these things.
  • seem: Thomas Layton and his method of collecting seem obsessive to us today.