Library / English Dictionary

RETENTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the power, capacity, or quality of retaining water

Example:

soils retentive of moisture

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

impermeable (preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through)

Derivation:

retentiveness; retentivity (the power of retaining liquid)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Good at remembering

Example:

tenacious memory

Synonyms:

long; recollective; retentive; tenacious

Classified under:

Adjectives

Also:

aware; mindful (bearing in mind; attentive to)

Antonym:

unretentive ((of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range)

Derivation:

retain (keep in one's mind)

retain (hold back within)

retentiveness; retentivity (the power of retaining and recalling past experience)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having the capacity to retain something

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

retention (the act of retaining something)

Derivation:

retentiveness (the property of retaining possessions that have been acquired)

Credits