retentive

[ ri-ten-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending or serving to retain something.
2. having power or capacity to retain.
3. having power or ability to remember; having a good memory.

retentive

/ rɪˈtɛntɪv /

adjective

1. having the capacity to retain or remember

Derived Forms

• reˈtentively, adverb
• reˈtentiveness, noun

Other Words From

• re·tentive·ly adverb
• re·tentive·ness noun
• nonre·tentive adjective
• nonre·tentive·ly adverb
• nonre·tentive·ness noun
• unre·tentive adjective
• unre·tentive·ly adverb
• unre·tentive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retentive¹

1325–75; Middle English retentif < Middle French < Medieval Latin retentīvus, equivalent to Latin retent ( us ) ( retention ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

She had an extremely retentive memory, read well, and evinced great love of reading.

From Project Gutenberg

His knowledge of history, more especially of military history, was profound, and his memory was singularly retentive.

From Project Gutenberg

At the start he was blest with a most marvelous and retentive memory, and a keen sense of the practical side of life.

From Project Gutenberg

Success cannot be expected in a soil unduly retentive of moisture.

From Project Gutenberg

He had been tolerably well educated; and being fond of reading, with a retentive memory, he possessed a good deal of information.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cohesive
• determined
• dogged
• forceful
• persistent
• relentless
• resolute
• spunky
• staunch
• steadfast
• stout
• strong-willed
• stubborn
• tough
• unswerving