iterative

adjective

it·​er·​a·​tive ˈi-tə-ˌrā-tiv  -rə- 

: involving repetition: such as

a

: expressing repetition of a verbal action

b

: utilizing the repetition of a sequence of operations or procedures

iterative programming methods

iteratively adverb

Examples of iterative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ed Catmull at Pixar (paywall) credits the studio’s creative breakthroughs to its candid feedback and iterative testing culture. —Aaron Edgell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

In order to mimic the iterative way doctors typically approach such cases—by collecting information, analyzing it, ordering tests, and then making decisions based on those results—Microsoft's team first created a stepwise decision-making benchmark process for each case study. —Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2025

Melzer has designed workshops that treat writing as a deliberative, iterative process involving drafting, feedback (from peers and also from ChatGPT), and revision. —Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

This is why companies like SpaceX, with an iterative design methodology that accepts some level of failure in order to go more quickly, have thrived. —ArsTechnica, 29 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iterative

• allocative
• appellative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative
• infiltrative