derivative
noun
de·riv·a·tive
| \ di-Ëri-vÉ-tiv
\
\
Definition of derivative
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
linguistics
: a word formed from another word or base : a word formed by derivation
"pointy," "pointed," and other derivatives of "point"
2
: something derived
⊠the sonata form (itself a derivative of opera) ⊗ Kingsley Martin the name "Mia" is a derivative of "Maria"
3
mathematics
: the limit of the ratio of the change in a function to the corresponding change in its independent variable as the latter change approaches zero
4 chemistry
a
: a chemical substance related structurally to another substance and theoretically derivable from it
b
: a substance that can be made from another substance
Petroleum is a derivative of coal tar. soybean derivatives
5
: a contract or security (see security sense 3) that derives its value from that of an underlying asset (such as another security) or from the value of a rate (as of interest or currency exchange) or index (see index entry 1 sense 1b) of asset value (such as a stock index)
derivative
adjectiveDefinition of derivative (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for derivative
Synonyms: Noun
by-product, derivate, derivation, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off
Synonyms: Adjective
Antonyms: Noun
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of derivative in a Sentence
Noun
The word âchildishâ is a derivative of âchild.â Tofu is one of many soybean derivatives. Petroleum is a derivative of coal tar.Adjective
A number of critics found the film derivative and predictable. His style seems too derivative of Hemingway.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Here the approach feels derivative, mostly because the psychology beneath it is so hollow. — Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Giant': Film Review | TIFF 2019," 8 Sep. 2019 To pay for the difference, Harris wants to tax stock trades at 0.2% of the value of the transaction, 0.1% for bonds and 0.002% for derivatives. — Juana Summers, chicagotribune.com, "Sen. Kamala Harris releases single-payer health care plan with role for private insurance," 29 July 2019 To pay for the difference, Harris wants to tax stock trades at 0.2% of the value of the transaction, 0.1% for bonds and 0.002% for derivatives. — Juana Summers, Anchorage Daily News, "Kamala Harrisâ new health plan draws critics from all sides," 29 July 2019 There are also a slew of derivatives â from grunts and slumps to sonkers and pandowdies â all homespun desserts of fruit and something floury and sweet to tie it all together. — Marcy Goldman, Twin Cities, "With less sugar, these cobblers, crisps and crumbles let their fruit flavors shine brighter," 15 Aug. 2019 Opt for formulas that are free of insect repellents or derivatives of vitamin A (retinyl palmitate, retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, and retinoic acid), which can cause increased skin photosensitivity and oxidative damage. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Is Your Sunscreen Safe? The Case for Switching to a Mineral Sunscreen," 12 Aug. 2019 Damon Vincent Jobin, 34, of Huntington Beach is accused of distributing pills containing fentanyl or a derivative of the synthetic opioid. — Daily Pilot, "H.B. man pleads not guilty to fentanyl distribution; authorities allege he fled to Thailand before recapture," 8 Aug. 2019 The fact that a handful of the J.C. Penneyâs creditors are believed to also be sellers of near-term derivatives that protect against default is seen as a key driver in the push for formal talks, which havenât started yet. — Allison Mcneely, Fortune, "J.C. Penneyâs Financial Woes Might Be Eased With a Debt Swap," 7 Aug. 2019 There are also a slew of derivatives â from grunts and slumps to sonkers and pandowdies â all homespun desserts of fruit and something floury and sweet to tie it all together. — Marcy Goldman, Washington Post, "With less sugar, these cobblers, crisps and crumbles let their fruit flavors shine brighter," 6 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The one thing that would stop that is if in the agreement, it clearly was stated that Nike couldnât make any derivative works or new works based off (Leonardâs) original sketch. — Patrick Danner, ExpressNews.com, "Nike slaps Kawhi Leonard with counter suit over hand logo," 18 July 2019 While state law previously defined marijuana as the cannabis plant and its derivative products, the new law defines marijuana as containing more than 0.3% THC. — Robert T. Garrett, Dallas News, "Keep enforcing marijuana laws, Abbott, Patrick, Bonnen, Paxton tell prosecutors amid hemp law confusion," 18 July 2019 Too many of the new songs sound diligent and derivative, as if Sleater-Kinney were working through a pop apprenticeship. — Jon Pareles, BostonGlobe.com, "Sleater-Kinney veers off course on âThe Center Wonât Holdâ," 21 Aug. 2019 The Kokang minority was long associated with the production of illicit drugs, such as opium and its derivative, heroin, but claims to have left the trade. — Washington Post, "Myanmar ethnic rebel alliance makes coordinated attacks," 15 Aug. 2019 After a delay pushed the release into early 1984, though, the great video game crash of 1983 had pretty much eliminated any chance of an unknown (and pretty derivative) game finding interest from distributors. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Atari 2600 rarity Extra Terrestrials goes on sale for $90,000," 13 July 2019 Bringing back the settingâs original villain and reprising some of its narrative and cinematographic techniques could easily have made the season feel derivative, but Oleson has managed to bring new polish and nuance to the formula. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Most Read," 12 Oct. 2018 Ostpunk was crude and derivative, but the Ostpunks were doing more than aping Western poses. — Dominic Green, WSJ, "âBurning Down the Hausâ Review: East German Punks," 20 Sep. 2018 Harris didnât offer a cost estimate but proposed to help pay for her program with a 0.2% tax on Wall Street stock trades, a 0.1% tax on bond trades and a 0.002% tax on derivative transactions. — Bloomberg, The Mercury News, "Kamala Harris unveils âMedicare for Allâ plan that preserves private insurance," 29 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derivative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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