compulsive
/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/adjective, noun
compulsive is spelled C-O-M-P-U-L-S-I-V-E: 10 letters and 3 syllables. It appears 1.9 times per million words in written English, the 19,825th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, compulsive means “Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in compulsive?
| Letters | 10: C-O-M-P-U-L-S-I-V-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 1.9 times per million words; the 19,825th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is compulsive?
Compulsive appears 1.9 times per million words in written English, the 19,825th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce compulsive?
- /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/
Compulsive has 3 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-compulsive.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of compulsive
- more compulsive comparative
- most compulsive superlative
- compulsives plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does compulsive mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
Jenny is a compulsive liar–don't believe a thing she says.
- 2
Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.
noun
- 1
One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Compulsive in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | zwanghaft |
| Spanish | compulsivo |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does compulsive come from?
Borrowed from French compulsif, formed from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).