compulsive

CEFRC1

/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Difficult to control or stop doing.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.

Examples

  • His compulsive shopping habits led to significant financial difficulties.

  • Once a habit has been acquired, it almost has compulsive power over us.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.

  2. Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.

More examples

In context

  • He is a compulsive gambler.

  • Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says.

  • Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane / But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank gambler could not resist placing bets at any opportunity.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

Borrowed from French compulsif, formed from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).