retentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means having a good memory or the ability to remember things for a long time. Example sentence: My friend is extremely retentive; he can recite facts he learned years ago.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

You are even more anally retentive than I am.

The Guardian

His memory was very retentive, his love of reading great, his opportunities of gratifying that love small.

The Economist

For if, as Dr Kandel and his colleagues have suggested, one of the functions of blocker CREB is to prevent the over-proliferation of memory, then it may be risky to fiddle with CREB in the young.That is because if memories were made too vivid and retentive, it might become harder to learn new things.

The Economist

New Labour's push to decentralise power and decision-making to create a new kindecision-making toays been retarded by a creatervailinewinstinct, one that combines the retentive neurosis that British governments of all stripes have shared with a residual old-fashioned statism.

The Economist

Maybe Muslims are unusually retentive of their original culture.

The Economist

He made up for this deficiency by the careful study of documents, by an extraordinarily retentive memory, and by being a shrewd judge of character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Ask any friend of mine in college; I was the most anal-retentive dude they ever met.

The Guardian

Mozambique's soils are diverse in quality and type, but the northern and central provinces have generally more fertile, water-retentive soils than does the south, where sandy, infertile soils prevail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There's no logic to the bibliophile's anal-retentive passion for books he's had for ages.

Independent

"I sat in front of the murals while they were being cleaned and absorbed every element of his style — the beautiful staccato brushwork and the fluidity of the space, which is the antithesis of my own, anal-retentive style.

The New Yorker

(Prissy, anyone? Anal-retentive?) The house echoed with my footsteps, a stage set and nothing more.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's memory, consider using "retentive" to emphasize their ability to recall information accurately and for extended periods.

Common error

Avoid using "retentive" solely to describe physical holding capacity. It's more accurately used for mental retention, particularly memory. Use 'absorbent' or 'water-retentive' to describe physical properties.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "retentive" primarily functions to qualify a noun by describing its capacity to retain something, most commonly information or memories. Ludwig AI shows many examples of "retentive memory", illustrating its use in describing cognitive abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "retentive" is used to describe the capacity to retain something, usually information, with reliable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times using it frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and diverse applications. While "retentive" commonly relates to memory, as in "retentive memory", it can also describe a personality trait ("anal retentive") or physical properties like soil's water retention, making it a versatile term. When writing, remember to consider the scope of "retentive" and use context clues so your message is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a good memory

Focuses specifically on memory capacity rather than a general ability to retain.

good at remembering

Highlights proficiency in recalling information.

able to remember

Similar to 'having a good memory' but emphasizes the act of remembering.

having a long memory

Emphasizes the duration for which memories are held.

capable of retaining

Highlights the capability to keep or hold onto something, broadening the scope beyond just memory.

tenacious

Implies holding firmly to something, whether it's a belief, memory, or physical object.

recollective

Related to the act of recalling past events or facts.

adept at keeping

Emphasizes skill in maintaining or preserving something.

inclined to preserve

Focuses on the tendency to maintain something in its original state.

long-lasting

Focuses on the endurance of what is retained, often used for qualities or impacts.

FAQs

How can I use "retentive" in a sentence?

You can use "retentive" to describe someone with a good memory, like: "She has a remarkably "retentive" memory for names and dates."

What's a synonym for "retentive" when describing memory?

Alternatives to "retentive" include "recollective", "tenacious", or "having a good memory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe soil as "retentive"?

Yes, you can describe soil as "retentive", particularly in the context of moisture retention. For example, "This soil is highly "retentive", making it ideal for water-intensive plants."

What does it mean to be described as "anal retentive"?

In Freudian psychology, "anal "anal retentive"" describes a personality type characterized by excessive orderliness, control, and rigidity.