Skip to main content

derivativesomething that is based on or developed from something else

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: something that is based on or developed from something else

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

Example Sentences

  • My boss's 'innovative' ideas are just derivatives of what he saw on YouTube last night.
  • The pharmaceutical company developed several derivatives of the original drug.
  • His art teacher criticized his painting for being too derivative of Van Gogh's style.

derivative

NOUN

[/dɪˈrɪvətɪv/]

something that is based on or developed from something else

Critics called the new superhero film derivative of every blockbuster before it.
💡 Concept

Critics called the new superhero film derivative of every blockbuster before it.

No alternative to comparative - everything derivative!
🎵 Rhyme

No alternative to comparative - everything derivative!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈrɪvətɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootriv
Suffix--ative

Origin

From Latin 'derivativus', the adjective form of 'derivare', meaning 'to draw off' or 'to divert'. This comes from 'de-' (from, away) and 'rivus' (stream), literally meaning 'to turn away from a stream'.

Breakdown

de- (away, from) + rivus (stream) + -ative (tending to, having the quality of) = derivative (something drawn from or based on another source)

🎵Rhyme

alternativecomparativerative
alternative
comparative
rative

🔗Collocations

financial derivative
derivative work
calculate derivatives
derivative trading
highly derivative
derivative nature

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My boss's 'innovative' ideas are just derivatives of what he saw on YouTube last night.

The pharmaceutical company developed several derivatives of the original drug.

His art teacher criticized his painting for being too derivative of Van Gogh's style.

😄 Fun example

The calculus exam was full of derivative problems that made students cry.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

imitationcopyvariationadaptationspin-off

Antonyms

originalinnovativecreative

Related

derivederivationderivedsecondarybyproduct

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.