derivative
gb/dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/ us/dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/
B2
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
something based on another source
Something that comes from or is made from another thing.
Usage pattern:
a derivative of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'derivative' with 'derivation'; 'derivation' refers to the process or origin, while 'derivative' is the resulting thing.
Synonyms
offshoot (Implies something that grows or develops from a main source, often in a more neutral or positive sense.)
|
copy (More direct and sometimes negative, implying lack of originality.)
Antonyms
original (Means created first or not based on anything else.)
Collocations
film derivative
|derivative work
|derivative product
|highly derivative
|musically derivative
Themes
general
|creativity
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie was criticized for being a derivative of several older films.
- This painting is clearly a derivative work influenced by Picasso.
- Many pop songs today are considered derivative and formulaic.
- Her novel is a clever derivative of classic detective stories.
- That design is too derivative to stand out in the market.
Learner examples
- This song is a derivative of an old hit.
- The book is a derivative of a famous story.
- That movie is a derivative of another movie.
- His work is a derivative of her style.
adjective
B2
property
2
imitative rather than original
Made from another thing and not new or original.
Usage pattern:
[something] is derivative
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'derivative' as a noun when describing a quality; in this sense it should be an adjective.
Synonyms
imitative (Focuses on the act of copying the style or content of something else.)
Antonyms
innovative (Suggests introducing new ideas or methods instead of copying.)
Collocations
derivative idea
|derivative style
|derivative writing
|highly derivative
Themes
creativity
|criticism
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The film’s plot is highly derivative and predictable.
- His writing style is derivative of early modernist authors.
- The band's latest album feels derivative compared to their earlier work.
- Critics called the sculpture beautiful but ultimately derivative.
- It’s a well-made but derivative piece of art.
Learner examples
- The story is derivative and not new.
- Her style is derivative of his work.
- The song is derivative of old music.
- This idea is derivative and boring.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
financial instrument based on asset value
A financial product that gets its value from another thing like stocks or money rates.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the general meaning of 'something copied'. In finance, it has a specific technical sense unrelated to creativity.
Synonyms
futures contract (A specific type of derivative based on agreed future transactions.)
Collocations
trade derivatives
|financial derivatives
|complex derivatives
|derivatives market
Themes
finance
|economics
|business
Examples
- Derivatives can be used to hedge against price changes in commodities.
- The bank lost millions trading risky derivatives.
- Derivatives markets are tightly regulated in some countries.
- He specializes in complex derivatives tied to interest rates.
- Many investors use derivatives to manage risk.
Learner examples
- Banks trade derivatives to make money.
- A derivative gets its value from another thing.
- Some people use derivatives to lower risk.
- The company lost money on derivatives.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
4
math function for rate of change
In math, a way to show how fast something changes at one point.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'derivative' (the result) with 'differentiate' (the process).
Synonyms
differential coefficient (A formal mathematical term for the same concept.)
Collocations
take the derivative
|first derivative
|partial derivative
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Examples
- The derivative of x² is 2x.
- We used the derivative to find the maximum point of the function.
- Partial derivatives are important in multivariable calculus.
- The graph shows the derivative of the velocity function.
- Differentiation allows you to calculate the derivative of any smooth curve.
Learner examples
- The derivative of x squared is 2x.
- We learn how to find a derivative in math class.
- A derivative shows how fast something changes.
- He drew the derivative on the graph.
Grammar
Dictionary form
derivative
IPA
GB/dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/
US/dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
de - riv - at - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (de)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: derivative
Noun
- Base: derivative
- Plural: derivatives
Word family
Forms
derivatives
noun
Core family
Advanced or less common
derivational
adjective
Expressions
partial derivative
1/pˈɑɹʃəl dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
derivative with respect to one variable
In math, a way to find how one thing changes when only one variable changes and others stay the same.
Examples
- We calculated the partial derivative with respect to x.
- Partial derivatives are used in multivariable calculus problems.
take the derivative
1/tˈeɪk ðə dɚˈɪvɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
find the mathematical rate of change
In math, to do the steps needed to get the derivative of a function.
Examples
- You need to take the derivative before finding the slope at that point.
- We will take the derivative of this equation in class.