Meaning

Of a grammatical case: in an inflected language (such as Greek or Latin), expressing that a thing denoted by a word is related to a thing denoted by another word as its origin or possessor; and in an uninflected language (such as English), expressing origin or possession; possessive..

Definitions by Sense

1. Of a grammatical case: in an inflected language (such as Greek or Latin), expressing that a thing denoted by a word is related to a thing denoted by another word as its origin or possessor; and in an uninflected language (such as English), expressing origin or possession; possessive.
2. Of, pertaining to, or used in the genitive case.
3. (archaic) Of or pertaining to the generation of offspring; generative, procreative, reproductive.
4. (countable, uncountable) Ellipsis of genitive case (“a grammatical case used to express a relationship of origin or possession”).
5. (countable) A word inflected in the genitive case, and which thus indicates origin or possession.

Example Sentences

dependent genitive

independent genitive

The student who had taken a German exam realised his error afterwards. He had used the dative case instead of the genitive case to show possession.

[T]he poticaries and barbarus wryters call it [the iris] Irios in the genetiue caſe.

Nouns Subſtantive have five Declenſions or forms of ending thir Caſes, chiefly diſtinguiſht by the different ending of thir Genitive Singular. […] The firſt [declension] is vvhen the Genitive and Dative ſingular end in æ, &c., […]

Two kinds of genitive: All nouns have a genitive form, but pronouns have two of them. The dependent genitive form is used before a head noun, and the independent genitive form (usually distinct) is used on its own but with a genitive-related meaning. […] my painting, where my is the dependent genitive of I, but That painting is mine, where mine is the independent genitive […]

Establishments that feature their owners' names, with signs like "Rosi's Bar" or "Kati's Kiosk" are a common sight around German towns and cities, but strictly speaking they are wrong: unlike English, German does not traditionally use apostrophes to indicate the genitive case or possession.

Nounes, Pronounes, and Participles are declin'd vvith ſix Endings, vvhich are called Caſes, both in the Singular and Plural Number. The Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accuſative, Vocative, and Ablative. […] The Genitive is Engliſht vvith this Sign of, as Libri of a Book.

Word Forms

• genetive
• genitives

Synonyms for genitive

Related Words

When Should You Use Genitive?

Use genitive when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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