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

Examples of derivative in a Sentence

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

Mazda was considering an SUV derivative of the 6e for North America — rumored to be called the Mazda CX-6e — but the current stiff tariffs don’t bode well for vehicles built outside the US. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Still, positioning in the derivatives market shows skepticism this rally will last, Silverman said. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 6 May 2025

Adjective

By comparison, when Tesla was incorporated in Delaware, a shareholder who held just nine shares of Tesla stock was the plaintiff in a shareholder derivative suit that resulted in a judge ordering CEO Elon Musk’s 2018 CEO compensation package to be rescinded, Lipton noted. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 May 2025

Financial markets throbbed with a panoply of new financial institutions — hedge funds — trading new financial instruments — derivative securities — the values of which were tied to still other financial instruments like home mortgages. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025

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

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