compulsive

/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpəl-siv/ (ame, mw)

compulsive — adjective

  • compulsivepositive
  • more compulsivecomparative
  • most compulsivesuperlative

1. describing a person who repeatedly does something and cannot resist the strong i

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a person who repeatedly does something and cannot resist the strong inner urge to do it, even when the habit causes harm or problems in their life.

例句

Compulsive gambling ruined the accountant's marriage and emptied his savings account.

[[0, 10]]

The psychiatrist said that compulsive eating is often linked to stress and anxiety.

[[27, 37]]

同義詞
  • obsessive

    Stronger and more clinical; implies thoughts dominate the person's mind more than actions do

  • addictive

    Describes a substance or activity that causes dependency, rather than the person's own behaviour pattern

  • habitual

    Milder; describes a regular routine, not necessarily an uncontrollable urge

反義詞
  • moderate

    Balanced and controlled, without excessive urges

  • sporadic

    Occasional and irregular, not driven by a constant need

文法句型

compulsive + noun (e.g. compulsive liar, compulsive gambling)

be + compulsive (e.g. his behaviour is compulsive)

用法筆記

Often used before nouns that describe behaviours or habits (compulsive gambling, compulsive lying, compulsive shopping). Frequently appears in psychology and medical contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He is compulsive to check his phone.
✅He has a compulsive need to check his phone.
💡'compulsive' is an adjective, not followed by an infinitive verb.
❌She is compulsive of cleaning.
✅She is a compulsive cleaner.' or 'Her cleaning is compulsive.
💡'compulsive' does not take the preposition 'of'.

2. describing a film, book, game, or television show that is so interesting or exci

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a film, book, game, or television show that is so interesting or exciting that you feel a strong need to keep watching, reading, or playing it.

例句

The new crime drama on television is so compulsive that I watched five episodes in one night.

[[39, 49]]

Critics described the novel as a compulsive read that keeps you turning pages until dawn.

[[32, 42]]

同義詞
  • gripping

    Very close in meaning; slightly more informal and common in everyday speech

  • unputdownable

    Informal, usually describes books; stronger emphasis on inability to stop reading

  • addictive

    Overlaps in meaning but 'addictive' is broader and can describe games, apps, or substances

  • riveting

    Slightly more formal; emphasises intense fascination

反義詞
  • boring

    Fails to hold attention at all

  • dull

    Lacking excitement; easy to stop watching or reading

文法句型

compulsive + noun (e.g. compulsive read, compulsive viewing)

be + compulsive (e.g. the show is compulsive)

用法筆記

Commonly used before nouns like 'read', 'viewing', 'watch', 'listening', or 'page-turner' to describe entertainment that is especially absorbing. Not used for people — a person cannot be 'compulsive' in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌The book is a compulsive.
✅The book is a compulsive read.
💡'compulsive' needs a noun after it in this sense, e.g. read, viewing, watch.
❌The author is a compulsive writer in a good way.' (ambiguous)
✅The author's novel is a compulsive read.
💡Sense 2 describes the content, not the creator.