obsessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'obsessive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an individual's attitude or behavior when they are excessively focused or preoccupied with something. For example, "She had an obsessive attention to detail when it came to her work, often spending hours perfecting every task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Lifestyle

Arts

Sport

Opinion

TV & Radio

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is about obsession and, in particular obsessive love, a dark place experienced by many that can drive an individual to ruin.

The Guardian - Film

How useful a smartwatch could be comes down to how obsessive over notifications you are and how many you get a day.

The Guardian - Tech

Sparky, mucho freaked-out, reverts to depression, alcohol and the obsessive licking of his anal region.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Back in London, I find a 2008 paper on morgellons in the journal Dermatologic Therapy that describes patients picking "at their skin continuously in order to 'extract' an organism"; "obsessive cleaning rituals, showering often" and individuals going "to many physicians, such as infectious disease specialists and dermatologists" – all behaviours "consistent with DOP".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have come to this muddy corner of County Wicklow to record their new album – spurred on by their obsessive, inscrutable, fibreglass-headed leader.

The Guardian - Film

Friends describe an obsessive creator, not always easy to live with, who puts art before everything.

The Guardian - Arts

An open letter from the team asking the fans to accept that it might take some new arrivals a little longer "to adapt to the German mentality and lifestyle" was either an earnest attempt to foster integration or a cynical, Magath-led ploy to shift the blame from the obsessive wheeler-dealer manager to the foreign recruits.

The Guardian - Sport

So here's another mischievous suggestion: as far as our politicians are concerned, Beazley, a military history obsessive, would make an equally appealing Australian War memorial director as Nelson does a future ambassador to Washington.

The Guardian

I'm an obsessive buyer of books about politics.

The Guardian

A new type of solitary obsessive was born, interested only in achieving the pure abstraction of the record itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Matrix's nemesis, his former buddy turned obsessive henchman-in-chief, is played with an exaggerated campness that would be considered offensive today.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obsessive", consider the intensity you wish to convey. It often suggests an unhealthy or excessive preoccupation, so ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "obsessive" to describe minor preferences or hobbies. Reserve it for situations where the focus is genuinely excessive and potentially problematic.

Linguistic Context

The word "obsessive" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a quality of being excessively preoccupied or fixated. It indicates an intense and often irrational focus on a particular thing, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "obsessive love" and "obsessive cleaning rituals".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Film

10%

Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

Arts

5%

Sport

3%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "obsessive" is a common adjective used to describe an excessive preoccupation with something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including News & Media, Film and Lifestyle. While the term is generally neutral, it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying an unhealthy or irrational focus. When using "obsessive", consider the intensity you want to convey and ensure it accurately reflects the situation. Common alternatives include "compulsive", "fixated", and "preoccupied", each with its own nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compulsive

Implies an irresistible urge or behavior, often related to anxiety reduction.

fixated

Suggests a persistent focus on a particular object or idea, often to an unhealthy degree.

preoccupied

Indicates a state of being absorbed in thought, often to the exclusion of other things.

consumed

Conveys the idea of being completely engrossed or overwhelmed by something.

fanatical

Implies extreme enthusiasm or zeal, often bordering on irrationality.

monomaniacal

Indicates an intense and singular focus on one particular thing.

single-minded

Describes someone determined to achieve something.

driven

Suggests strong motivation and determination to succeed.

intense

Conveys the strength of emotion or focus.

engrossed

Immersed or absorbed in something.

FAQs

How can I use "obsessive" in a sentence?

You can use "obsessive" to describe someone's behavior or thoughts when they are excessively preoccupied with something. For instance, "His "obsessive attention to detail" made him an excellent proofreader".

What words can I use instead of "obsessive"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "compulsive", "fixated", or "preoccupied". Each carries slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to describe a hobby as "obsessive"?

While you can, it's important to consider the connotation. "Obsessive" suggests an unhealthy or excessive focus, so it's best reserved for hobbies that consume a significant amount of time and energy, potentially to the detriment of other areas of life.

What's the difference between "obsessive" and "dedicated"?

"Dedicated" implies commitment and hard work, while "obsessive" suggests an excessive preoccupation that may be unhealthy or irrational. A dedicated worker is committed, an "obsessive worker" is consumed by their work.