1 derivative | Definition of derivative

derivative

noun
de·​riv·​a·​tive | \ di-ˈri-və-tiv How to pronounce derivative (audio) \

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

adjective

Definition of derivative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 linguistics : formed from another word or base : formed by derivation a derivative word
2 : having parts that originate from another source : made up of or marked by derived elements a derivative philosophy
3 : lacking originality : banal a derivative performance a film using a derivative plot device

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Other Words from derivative

Adjective

derivatively adverb
derivativeness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for derivative

Synonyms: Noun

by-product, derivate, derivation, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off

Synonyms: Adjective

secondary, secondhand

Antonyms: Noun

origin, root, source

Antonyms: Adjective

basic, original

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Examples of derivative in a Sentence

Noun

The word “childish” is a derivative of “child.” 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.
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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 Harris’ new health plan draws critics from all sides," 29 July 2019 There are also a slew of derivatives — from grunts and slumps to sonkers and pandowdies — 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. Penney’s 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 haven’t started yet. Allison Mcneely, Fortune, "J.C. Penney’s Financial Woes Might Be Eased With a Debt Swap," 7 Aug. 2019 There are also a slew of derivatives — from grunts and slumps to sonkers and pandowdies — 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. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The one thing that would stop that is if in the agreement, it clearly was stated that Nike couldn’t make any derivative works or new works based off (Leonard’s) 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 ‘The Center Won’t Hold’," 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 setting’s 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, "‘Burning Down the Haus’ Review: East German Punks," 20 Sep. 2018 Harris didn’t 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 ‘Medicare for All’ plan that preserves private insurance," 29 July 2019

These 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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First Known Use of derivative

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for derivative

Noun

see derive

Adjective

see derive

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More Definitions for derivative

derivative

noun

Financial Definition of derivative

What It Is

A derivative is a financial contract with a value that is derived from an underlying asset. Derivatives have no direct value in and of themselves -- their value is based on the expected future price movements of their underlying asset.

How It Works

Derivatives are often used as an instrument to hedge risk for one party of a contract, while offering the potential for high returns for the other party. Derivatives have been created to mitigate a remarkable number of risks: fluctuations in stock, bond, commodity, and index prices; changes in foreign exchange rates; changes in interest rates; and weather events, to name a few.

One of the most commonly used derivatives is the option. Let's look at an example:

Say Company XYZ is involved in the production of pre-packaged foods. They are a large consumer of flour and other commodities, which are subject to volatile price movements.

In order for the company to assure any kind of consistency with their product and meet their bottom-line objectives, they need to be able to purchase commodities at a predictable a