transitive

tran·si·tive

adjective \ˈtran(t)-sə-tiv, ˈtran-zə-; ˈtran(t)s-tiv\

Definition of TRANSITIVE

1

: characterized by having or containing a direct object <a transitive verb>

2

: being or relating to a relation with the property that if the relation holds between a first element and a second and between the second element and a third, it holds between the first and third elements <equality is a transitive relation>

3

: of, relating to, or characterized by transition

— tran·si·tive·ly adverb

— tran·si·tive·ness noun

— tran·si·tiv·i·ty \ˌtran(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē, ˌtran-zə-\ noun

Examples of TRANSITIVE

1. In “I like pie” and “She makes hats,” the verbs “like” and “makes” are transitive.

Origin of TRANSITIVE

Late Latin transitivus, from Latin transitus, past participle of transire

First Known Use: 1590

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile