causative

adjective

caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv 

1

: effective or operating as a cause or agent

causative bacteria of cholera

2

: expressing causation

specifically : being a linguistic form that indicates that the subject causes an act to be performed or a condition to come into being

causative noun

causatively adverb

Examples of causative in a Sentence

A virus was found to be the causative agent of smallpox.

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts agree that the relationship between higher HDL levels and better heart health is correlational—not causative. —Sarah Klein, TIME, 10 July 2024

For example, studies have found that the growing trend of replacing cane sugar with synthetic or more processed alternatives may be a significant causative factor of obesity and declining health outcomes. —Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

What can, and what should, the legislature do on public safety? Local and state leaders need to understand, as best possible, causative factors of crimes being committed. —Charlotte Observer, 8 Feb. 2024

Although penicillin is the drug of choice to treat Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, many health care providers are currently using doxycycline as an alternative to treat the infection because of the national shortage of penicillin. —Shiv Sudhakar, Fox News, 8 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English causatyf (as noun; Old Scots causative as adjective), borrowed from Medieval Latin causātīvus, going back to Late Latin, "expressing reason, of a cause," from Latin causātus (past participle of causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse") + -īvus -ive — more at cause entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

causative

adjective

caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv 

: making something happen or exist

a causative agent of disease

Legal Definition

causative

adjective

caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv 

1

: effective or operating as a cause

the causative negligent act

2

: causal sense 2

the causative link between stress and coronary artery disease

—National Law Journal