derivative

1 of 2

noun

de·​riv·​a·​tive di-ˈri-və-tiv How to pronounce derivative (audio)
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

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
Everyone is getting in on the party, from miners and exchanges to trading platforms and derivatives markets. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2024 This variant is a derivative of BA.2.86, the only other strain that has carried more than 30 new mutations in the spike protein since omicron first came on the scene more than two years ago. Eric J. Topol, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024 In press remarks, Lavrov said his government has granted Cuba, which is struggling with frequent electricity blackouts, two credits to buy fuel and crude oil derivatives. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 From this data, analytics and scores can be developed, which are essentially derivatives of the underlying raw data. Ab Gaur, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The recent boost in interest rates actually helped CME, because that increases the need for interest rate hedges, via derivatives. Larry Light, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024 As companies develop more psychedelic derivatives and combinations, deciphering their strengths and weaknesses will become more challenging, says Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman of Columbia University. Matthew Perrone, Quartz, 5 Feb. 2024 In recent days, uncertainties about the trajectory of US interest rates and the threat of an imminent blowout of local stock derivatives have added to investor worries. Abhishek Vishnoi, Fortune Asia, 20 Jan. 2024 But the effort by state officials and Idaho cities seeks to renew the line, or some derivative of it, and again provide Amtrak service in Southern Idaho. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Many of the gags are either derivative or homages, depending on your perspective, including the vicious killer bunnies that bring to mind Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Combining derivative creation in a new asset class with high leverage multiples can create a situation that can leave investors caught short in times of market uncertainty or downturns. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 As if that were not complex enough, Jack could also buy a derivative amounting to the option-to-buy a bundle of many such … derivatives that some super-computer would create. Yanis Varoufakis, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024 Despite the derivative premise, the acting is a cut above, the gender dynamics are cleverly reversed and the look inside far-north provincial life in Canada is revealing and often gorgeously shot. David Faris, theweek, 14 Jan. 2024 Nonetheless, French director Thomas Vincent’s multinational co-production remains a fun if derivative diversion throughout. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 12 Jan. 2024 Even worse, the complaint alleged, businesses are being built around opportunities to create allegedly derivative works: Businesses are sprouting up to sell prompts that allow users to enter the world of an author’s books and create derivative stories within that world. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2023 OpenAI scanned and hosts all the content, sells access to it and will even generate derivative works for their paying users. Gary Marcus, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Jan. 2024 The decision in Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith capped off nearly four decades’ worth of derivative works that began in 1981, when Lynn Goldsmith photographed Prince. Byirina Ivanova, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derivative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of derivative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near derivative

Cite this Entry

“Derivative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derivative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

derivative

1 of 2 noun
de·​riv·​a·​tive di-ˈriv-ət-iv How to pronounce derivative (audio)
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 How to pronounce derivative (audio)
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 How to pronounce derivative (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on derivative

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