attributive
gb/ˈætɹəbjutɪv/ us/ˈætɹəbjutɪv/
C1
English
jelzői, jellemző
C1
TECHNICAL
1
jelzői
C1
Usage pattern:
[adjective/word] is attributive; used attributively (before [noun])
In “a red car,” the adjective “red” is attributive.
Az „a red car” szerkezetben a „red” melléknév jelzői szerepű.
Some adjectives are common in attributive position but rare after a verb.
Egyes melléknevek jelzői helyzetben gyakoriak, de ige után ritkák.
The guide explains how to identify attributive modifiers in complex noun phrases.
Learner examples
“Big” is attributive in “a big house.”
A „big” az „a big house” szerkezetben jelzői szerepű.
This adjective is used attributively before the noun.
Ezt a melléknevet a főnév előtt, jelzőként használják.
Common mistake:
Often confused with predicative (after a linking verb) and with attributable (meaning “able to be caused by”).
Meaning
placed before a noun
Collocations
attributive adjective
|attributive use
|used attributively
|attributive position
|attributive modifier
|attributive phrase
|attributive clause
|attributive noun
|attributive meaning
|attributive construction
Synonyms
prenominal (A more technical term emphasizing position before the noun.)
Antonyms
predicative (Describes an adjective used after a linking verb (e.g., 'The car is red').)
Themes
language
|grammar
|linguistics
|education
Definition
In grammar, it means “used before a noun to describe it.”
In grammar, describing a word (especially an adjective) that comes before a noun and modifies it.
C2
FORMAL
2
jellemző
B2
Usage pattern:
attributive [factor/feature/property]
The report focused on attributive features of the painting, such as brushwork and color choice.
A jelentés a festmény jellemző vonásaira, például az ecsetkezelésre és a színválasztásra összpontosított.
In the study, the authors separated causal explanations from attributive descriptions.
A tanulmányban a szerzők elkülönítették az oksági magyarázatokat a jellemzők leírásától.
She provided an attributive account of his success, emphasizing discipline and habit.
Learner examples
The writer listed attributive qualities like honesty and patience.
Az író olyan jellemző vonásokat sorolt fel, mint az őszinteség és a türelem.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use attributive where attributable is needed (cause/credit: “attributable to”).
Meaning
serving to describe a quality
Collocations
attributive factor
|attributive feature
|attributive property
|attributive value
|attributive description
|attributive label
|attributive characteristic
|attributive role
Synonyms
descriptive (More common and less technical; focuses on describing rather than grammatical function.)
|
characterizing (Emphasizes marking something as typical or defining.)
Antonyms
nonessential (Opposes the idea of being defining or characteristic in a description.)
Themes
writing
|academia
|analysis
Definition
Describing a feature or quality of something.
Serving as an attribute; expressing or describing a characteristic of someone or something, often in analytical or academic writing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attributive
IPA
GB/ˈætɹəbjutɪv/
US/ˈætɹəbjutɪv/
Syllables & stress
at - tributive (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (at)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: attributive
Word family
Core family
Advanced or less common
attributively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unattributable
adjective
Expressions
attributive adjective
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv ˈæd͡ʒɪktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
Adjective used before a noun
An adjective that comes before a noun and describes it.
Examples
- In "a cold day", "cold" is an attributive adjective.
- Some adjectives are usually attributive and rarely used after a verb.
- The grammar book gives many examples of attributive adjectives.
attributive adjective
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv ˈæd͡ʒɪktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
adjective before a noun
An adjective that comes before a noun.
Examples
- “Small” is an attributive adjective in “a small problem.”
- The textbook contrasts attributive adjectives with predicate adjectives.
- Not all adjectives can be used as attributive adjectives in every context.
Learner examples
- “New” is an attributive adjective in “a new phone.”
attributive clause
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv klˈɔz/
fixed phrase
technical
clause describing a noun
A clause that describes a noun.
Examples
- In “the book that you lent me,” “that you lent me” is an attributive clause.
- Attributive clauses can be restrictive or non-restrictive.
- The editor removed a long attributive clause to make the sentence clearer.
Learner examples
- “who lives next door” is an attributive clause in “the man who lives next door.”
attributive modifier
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv mˈɑdɪfˌaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
modifier inside a noun phrase
A word or phrase that describes a noun in a noun phrase.
Examples
- “Highly successful” functions as an attributive modifier in “a highly successful campaign.”
- The noun phrase contains several attributive modifiers before the head noun.
- Attributive modifiers can make writing dense if overused.
Learner examples
- “Blue” is an attributive modifier in “blue jeans.”
attributive noun
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv nˈaʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
noun used like an adjective
A noun that describes another noun.
Examples
- In “coffee shop,” “coffee” is an attributive noun.
- Attributive nouns are very common in news headlines.
- Some attributive nouns are written with a hyphen when they form a compound.
Learner examples
- “School” is an attributive noun in “school bus.”
attributive position
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
before the noun in a phrase
The place before a noun where describing words go.
Examples
- The adjective “main” is almost always used in attributive position.
- In attributive position, multiple adjectives usually follow a typical order.
- The teacher asked students to rewrite the sentence using an adjective in attributive position.
Learner examples
- Put the adjective in attributive position: “a happy child.”
attributive use
1/ˈætɹəbjutɪv jˈus/
fixed phrase
technical
use before a noun
Using a word before a noun to describe it.
Examples
- “Asleep” is uncommon in attributive use; we usually say “the child is asleep.”
- The dictionary notes whether an adjective is limited to attributive use.
- In attributive use, the modifier typically comes directly before the noun.
Learner examples
- “Old” has attributive use in “an old house.”