genitive
[ jen-i-tiv ]
/ ˈdʒɛn ɪ tɪv /
Save This Word!
adjective
(in certain inflected languages) noting a case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives, used primarily to express possession, measure, or origin: as John's hat, week's vacation, duty's call.
noting an affix or other element characteristic of this case, or a word containing such an element.
similar to such a case form in function or meaning.
noun
the genitive case.
a word in the genitive case.
a construction noting this case or the relationship usually expressed by it.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Compare possessive.
Origin of genitive
1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin genitīvus, equivalent to genit(us) (past participle of gignere to beget) + -īvus-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM genitive
gen·i·ti·val [jen-i-tahy-vuhl], /ˌdʒɛn ɪˈtaɪ vəl/, adjectivegen·i·ti·val·ly, adverbun·gen·i·tive, adjectiveWords nearby genitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for genitive
British Dictionary definitions for genitive
genitive
/ (ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv) grammar /
adjective
denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in inflected languages used to indicate a relation of ownership or association, usually translated by English of
noun
- the genitive case
- a word or speech element in this case
Derived forms of genitive
genitival (ˌdʒɛnɪˈtaɪvəl), adjectivegenitivally, adverbWord Origin for genitive
C14: from Latin genetīvus relating to birth, from gignere to produce
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012