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

Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and fatigue that overlap considerably with other gastrointestinal illnesses, making clinical diagnosis difficult without specific laboratory testing to identify the causative pathogen. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2026

Rest can mean either stepping away from the causative activity for a bit or reducing the frequency or intensity. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

In the United States, leprosy (known as Hansen’s disease after Gerhard Armauer Hansen, who discovered the causative bacterium in 1873) is rare, with approximately 150 to 250 new cases reported annually. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026

In many cases, EIS officers led the investigations that described new diseases, uncovered the causative agents of an emerging condition, or stopped the outbreak. — Matthew Donahue, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for causative

• positive
• dispositive
• electropositive
• seropositive

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