Word of the Day Obsessive – Meaning, Usage & IELTS Examples

Expanding your IELTS vocabulary with precise and impactful words is essential to boost your Lexical Resource score. Today’s word, “Obsessive,” is particularly useful when discussing personality traits, habits, or emotional behavior in both IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks.

Meaning of “Obsessive”

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Thinking about someone or something too much in a compulsive or unhealthy way; characterized by obsession.

Origin and History of the Word

The word ‘Obsessive’ is derived from the word ‘Obsession,’ and it was first used in 1897. From obsess + ive, relatively a person who is characterized by obsession.

How to Use “Obsessive” in IELTS Speaking & Writing?

Understanding how to use “obsessive” and its related forms can help you clearly express emotions, attitudes, and behaviors in formal and informal contexts, in the IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing topics.

1. Adjective: Obsessive

Used to describe a person or behavior that focuses too much on a particular thing or person.

Examples:

• My class teacher is very obsessive about punctuality. She never allows the late comers inside the class.
• He was obsessive about his mother.
• Rose was very obsessive about work.
• Romeo was very obsessive about Juliet. He never allowed anyone to talk to her.
• Some people are so obsessive about cleanliness that it’s hard for them to tolerate untidiness.

2. Adverb: Obsessively

Describes the manner in which someone behaves with an obsession.

Examples:

• He was obsessively concerned about his pet dog.
• His focus is obsessively on that one particular website that contests more giveaways.
• Keith was raised by obsessively proud parents.
• On the first day of the class, when everyone was busy making friends, a little boy was obsessively worried about the syllabus.
• Her mother obsessively made her drink the protein milkshake.

3. Noun: Obsessiveness

Refers to the state or quality of being obsessive.

Examples:

• The new movie seemed to instill some sort of obsessiveness in the fans.
• For a constant victory, one must have a quality of obsessiveness and determination.
• If Raj is unable to control his obsessiveness, he must talk to a counselor.
• Her obsessiveness towards the canvases suggests that there is something more anxious happening off-canvas.
• Raj’s obsessiveness towards his cat is adorable and painful at the same time.

IELTS Tip

The word obsessive and its forms are highly useful when describing personality traits, behaviors, or emotional states. Use it in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 when describing a person or habit, or in the IELTS Writing Task 2. to present arguments about mental health, technology addiction, or cultural obsessions.

Synonyms for Obsessive

• Fixated
• Fanatical
• Compulsive
• Preoccupied
• Over-focused
• Addicted

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer using “Obsessive”

Q: Describe a habit someone you know has.
A: My cousin is quite obsessive about fitness. He follows a strict diet and workout routine every day without fail. While it's admirable, his obsessiveness sometimes leads him to skip important events just to stay on schedule.

Sample IELTS Writing Sentence

In today’s digital world, many teenagers develop an obsessive attachment to social media, which can impact their mental health and academic performance.

Whether you’re talking about habits, emotions, or personal traits, the word obsessive and its variants can add depth and precision to your responses in the IELTS test. Practice using it in different contexts to boost your vocabulary range and improve your fluency. If you're aiming for top IELTS Band Score, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
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• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+
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• IELTS Pronunciation Guide 2025
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