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Genitive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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genitive

[ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

grammar

The genitive case is a grammatical case used to indicate a relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. It is often used to show possession or ownership.

Synonyms

genitive case, possessive case.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
genitive

Used in linguistics to refer to a grammatical case expressing possession or close association.

  • In Latin, the word 'puellae' is the genitive form of 'puella', indicating possession
possessive case

Used in English grammar to describe the form of a noun or pronoun indicating ownership or possession.

  • In the phrase 'the child's toy', 'the child's' is in the possessive case
genitive case

Specifically refers to the grammatical case that denotes relationships between nouns, such as possession, origin, or association. Commonly used in grammar descriptions.

  • In the sentence 'John's book', 'John's' is in the genitive case

Examples of usage

  • The car's wheels are black. (showing possession)
  • She's a friend of John's. (indicating relationship)

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'genitive'

The term 'genitive' comes from Latin 'genitivus', which means 'of birth'. The genitive case has been used in various languages for centuries to indicate possession, origin, or relationship between nouns. It plays a crucial role in the grammar of many Indo-European languages, including Latin, Greek, Russian, and German.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,219, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.