derivative

1 of 2

noun

de·​riv·​a·​tive di-ˈri-və-tiv 

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

2 of 2

adjective

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

derivatively adverb

derivativeness noun

Synonyms

Noun

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

Adjective

• secondary
• secondhand

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream $100 at Nordstrom$142 at Walmart$380 at Bloomingdale's You might not even believe that La Mer uses real sea kelp, instead of cooking up a derivative in a lab. —Kathleen Hou, ELLE, 3 Mar. 2023

This popular mask contains a natural derivative of BHA found in white willow bark extract, plus pomegranate enzymes to slough away dead skin cells. —Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Jan. 2023

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, which also includes retinal (or retinaldehyde), along with over-the-counter or prescription retinoids, like tretinoin. —Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Feb. 2023

Datalog is a derivative of Prolog, a programming language invented in 1972 by A.I. researchers interested in getting computers to understand French. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2020

Delta-8 THC, a hemp derivative, has been shown to reduce anxiety and tension while also relaxing people. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2022

Adding to the mix are coconut alkanes (a silicone alternative) for a smooth-as-heck feel and bisabolol (a chamomile derivative) to soothe skin, especially post-shaving. —Sarah Han And Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Nov. 2022

That surge was due in part to an influx of fentanyl, the opium derivative as much as 100 times stronger than morphine. —Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2022

A year later, another derivative of hydrazine, iproniazid, was discovered that was equally successful at treating TB infection in mice but even more so in humans. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2016

Adjective

The works owned by NuScale Power, LLC may not be copied or used to create derivative works without NuScale’s express permission. —WIRED, 27 Feb. 2023

But trying to slap a cynical Trump-derivative bumper sticker on Tim Scott does him a disservice. —John Avlon, CNN, 26 Feb. 2023

With Kang, the danger was falling into another derivative time-travel multiverse villain. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2023

Otherwise this series is derivative and rather routine. —David L. Coddoncontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023

Now, the Farm Bill of 2018 has made growing hemp as mainstream as farming corn and soybeans, as long as derivative products contain no more than 0.3 percent THC. —Jeanne Erdmann, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2019

Even though Vice Chancellor Laster allowed the lawsuit to go forward against Mr. Fairhurst, the judge has yet to decide whether shareholders have standing to bring the derivative lawsuit in the first place. —Dylan Tokar, WSJ, 2 Feb. 2023

And as more people are introduced to the game’s world, more fans are created, leading to more demand for derivative content. —J. Clara Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2023

With a slowdown in inflation buttressing speculation that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its interest-rate hikes, equity-derivative traders are expecting a break from the turmoil that kept racing through markets last year. —Elena Popina, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see derive

Adjective

see derive

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing derivative

• partial derivative

• partial derivative

Kids Definition

derivative

1 of 2 noun

de·​riv·​a·​tive di-ˈriv-ət-iv 

1

: a word formed by derivation

the word "kindness" is a derivative of "kind"

2

: something derived

3

: a substance that can be made from another substance in one or more steps

a derivative of coal tar

derivative

2 of 2 adjective

1

: formed by derivation

2

: made up of or having elements derived from something else

derivative poetry

Medical Definition

derivative

1 of 2 adjective

de·​riv·​a·​tive di-ˈriv-ət-iv 

1

: formed by derivation

2

: made up of or marked by derived elements

derivative

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that is obtained from, grows out of, or results from an earlier or more fundamental state or condition

2

a

: a chemical substance related structurally to another substance and theoretically derivable from it

b

: a substance that can be made from another substance

Legal Definition

derivative

1 of 2 noun

de·​riv·​a·​tive də-ˈri-və-tiv 

: a contract or security that derives its value from that of an underlying asset (as another security) or from the value of a rate (as of interest or currency exchange) or index of asset value (as a stock index)

Note: Derivatives often take the form of customized contracts transacted outside of security exchanges, while other contracts, such as standard index options and futures, are openly traded on such exchanges. Derivatives often involve a forward contract.

derivative

2 of 2 adjective

1

: arising out of or dependent on the existence of something else compare direct

2

: of, relating to, or being a derivative

a derivative transaction

derivatively adverb