derivative
/dɪˈɹɪvətɪv/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.65 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Obtained by derivation; not radical, original, or fundamental.
adj
Imitative of the work of someone else.
adj
Referring to a work, such as a translation or adaptation, based on another work that may be subject to copyright restrictions.
noun
A word formed by derivation, such as stylish from style.
noun
A financial instrument whose value depends on the valuation of an underlying asset; such as a warrant, an option etc.
Example Sentences
- "a derivative conveyance"
- "a derivative word"
- "People started talking about the pandemic as if it were itself a television show; as the second wave hit last fall, they griped about the derivative writing on Covid Season 2."
- "No, I really felt it was very derivative. To me it it looked like it was straight out of Diane Arbus, but it had none of the wit."
- "The derivative of x² is 2x; if f(x)#61;x², then f'(x)#61;2x"
- "The derivative of f(x)#61;x³ at x#61;2 is 12."
Etymology
From Middle French dérivatif, from Latin dērīvātus, perfect passive participle of dērīvō (“to derive”). Related to derive; by surface analysis, derive + -ative.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: dérivatif, dērīvātus
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /dɪˈɹɪvətɪv/
- British English: /dɪˈɹɪvətɪv/