adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonretentive adjective
- nonretentively adverb
- nonretentiveness noun
- retentively adverb
- retentiveness noun
- unretentive adjective
- unretentively adverb
- unretentiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of retentive
1325–75; Middle English retentif < Middle French < Medieval Latin retentīvus, equivalent to Latin retent ( us ) ( retention ) + -īvus -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In March 2024, with the biotech company’s share price down around 80% from the date of the equity grant, Guardant’s board concluded that the award “no longer offered meaningful financial or retentive value.”
The curators were struck by the fact that Barnor “had so many stories — it was unusual to hear the voice of a living photographer who has such a great mind and retentive memory,” Quarcoopome said.
From New York Times
His was the most nimble and retentive mind I’ve ever worked with closely over time.
From New York Times
It was enough to turn a beautiful sentiment of kindness into a painfully retentive memory; a constant reminder of what is to come.
From New York Times
They prefer soil that is organically enriched, moisture retentive and on the acidic side.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
