transitive

adjective tran·si·tive \ ˈtran(t)-sə-tiv , ˈtran-zə- ; ˈtran(t)s-tiv \

Updated on: 2 Apr 2018

Definition of transitive

1 : characterized by having or containing a direct object

a transitive verb

2 : being or relating to a relation with the property that if the relation holds between a first element and a second and between the second element and a third, it holds between the first and third elements

equality is a transitive relation

3 : of, relating to, or characterized by transition

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transitively

adverb

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transitiveness

noun

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transitivity

play \ˌtran(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē, ˌtran-zə-\ noun

See transitive defined for English-language learners

See transitive defined for kids

Examples of transitive in a Sentence

In “I like pie” and “She makes hats,” the verbs “like” and “makes” are transitive.

Recent Examples of transitive from the Web

Apply the transitive property and boom, sandwiches don’t exist without a serrated knife.

— elaheh nozari, Bon Appetit, "This Is the Serrated Knife to End All Serrated Knives," 26 Feb. 2018
The transitive-property arguments – if the last-place team in the Big East can beat the No. 4 team in America, etc. etc.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "What's St. John's upset of No. 4 Duke mean for Xavier, Big East?," 3 Feb. 2018
Through the transitive property, UCF declared itself the real national champions, and that includes the team’s Twitter name and bio.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "UCF proclaims itself the national champion after perfect 13-0 season," 3 Jan. 2018
So, by the transitive principle of good black folks equals good movies, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a very good movie, mostly because of what happens with Finn, played by teen-geek heartthrob John Boyega.

— jason johnson, The Root, "In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, John Boyega, People of Color Get to Shine in a Galaxy Far, Far Away," 15 Dec. 2017
Similarly, through simple transitive properties, an endorsement by a high-quality person makes the product appear high quality.

— jeff stibel, USA TODAY, "Brain science: Here's why you can't resist celebrity endorsements," 3 Nov. 2017
By the transitive property, James Comey is real America?

— heather schwedel, Slate Magazine, "James Comey Is Tweeting Real America," 23 Oct. 2017
In the game of sports transitive theory, Notre Dame’s task in beating Boston College today just got tougher.

— teddy greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Key linebacker out for Boston College against Notre Dame," 16 Sep. 2017
By the transitive property of celebrity, actors can be politicians.

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "Game of Thrones’ Hodor Might Run for Office over Same-Sex Marriage Restrictions," 20 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What is the difference between a transitive verb and an intransitive verb?

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object, which is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that follows the verb and completes the sentence's meaning by indicating the person or thing that receives the action of the verb. The direct object typically answers the question what? or whom?:

The kids like pickles.

That really annoys me.

Have they sold their house yet?

An intransitive verb is not used with a direct object. If something comes after an intransitive verb, that is, in the position usually inhabited by the direct object, it doesn't answer what? or whom?; instead it answers a question like where?, when?, how?, or how long?:

Her car died suddenly last week.

Someone was coughing loudly.

A single verb can have both transitive and intransitive uses:

They are playing soccer.

They've been playing all afternoon.

A transitive verb can also have an indirect object, which is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that comes before a direct object and indicates the person or thing that receives what is being given or done. Many common verbs can be used with both direct and indirect objects. In the following examples the indirect object is in italics: