# compulsive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ · frequency rank #19,795

## Definitions
1. Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
2. Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.

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

## Easily confused with
- **compulsion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compulsion-vs-compulsive)

## Common misspellings (15)
`ccompulsive`, `cmopulsive`, `commpulsive`, `complusive`, `comppulsive`, `compulisve`, `compullsive`, `compulsiev`, `compulsivve`, `compulssive`, `compulsvie`, `compuslive`, `comuplsive`, `copmulsive`, `ocmpulsive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/compulsive