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attributive

adjective at·trib·u·tive \ ə-ˈtri-byə-tiv \

Definition of attributive

1 : relating to or of the nature of an attribute : attributing
2 grammar : joined directly to a modified noun without a linking verb (such as city in city streets)
  • an attributive adjective
  • The "apple" of "apple pie" is not an adjective but an attributive noun.
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attributive

noun
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attributively

adverb
    • a noun being used attributively

See attributive defined for English-language learners

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Examples of attributive in a Sentence

  1. “Red” in “red hair” is an attributive adjective.

  2. In “airplane pilot” the noun “airplane” is attributive.

First Known Use of attributive

1606

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ATTRIBUTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

attributive

adjective

Definition of attributive for English Language Learners

  • grammar : joined directly to a noun in order to describe it

Learn More about attributive

  1. See words that rhyme with attributive

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