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

Other Word Forms

• retentively adverb
• retentiveness noun
• nonretentive adjective
• nonretentively adverb
• nonretentiveness noun
• unretentive adjective
• unretentively adverb
• unretentiveness 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

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.

Read more on New York Times

In Texas — well, hell, Texas has always been anally retentive when it comes to social issues, so nothing new there.

Read more on Salon

Unsurprisingly, in a state controlled by a retentive fascist like Gov. Ron DeSantis, the books deemed too dangerous to read mostly involve ideas like "gay couples exist" and "there was once a civil rights movement."

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His was the most nimble and retentive mind I’ve ever worked with closely over time.

Read more on 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.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

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