recessive
gb/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv/ us/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
C1
property
1
masked by a dominant gene
If a gene or trait is recessive, you usually see it only when a person has two copies of it.
Usage pattern:
[gene/allele/trait] is recessive (to [dominant gene/allele/trait])
Common mistake:
Don’t use recessive to mean “less common” in everyday situations; in genetics it refers to how a trait is inherited and expressed.
Synonyms
non-dominant (Close in meaning, but less standard in formal genetics.)
Antonyms
dominant (A dominant gene or trait is expressed even with only one copy.)
Collocations
recessive gene
|recessive allele
|recessive trait
|recessive mutation
|recessive condition
|recessive disorder
|autosomal recessive
|sex-linked recessive
|recessive inheritance
|carry a recessive gene
Themes
genetics
|biology
|health
|education
Examples
- Cystic fibrosis is caused by a recessive gene, so a child must inherit two copies to be affected.
- Brown eye color is often taught as dominant to blue, which is treated as recessive in simple genetics examples.
- The mutation behaves as recessive in lab crosses, appearing only in the homozygous offspring.
Learner examples
- Blue eyes can be recessive.
- A recessive trait may not show in the child.
adjective
B2
property
2
set back or receding
If something like a chin or hairline is recessive, it goes back rather than sticking out.
Usage pattern:
a recessive [chin/jawline/hairline]
Synonyms
receding (Common everyday word; often used for hairlines.)
|
retreating (Suggests a backward movement or position.)
Antonyms
prominent (Prominent features stand out or project.)
|
projecting (Emphasizes sticking out forward.)
Collocations
recessive chin
|recessive jaw
|recessive jawline
|recessive hairline
|slightly recessive
|noticeably recessive
|a recessive profile
Themes
appearance
|health
|daily_life
Examples
- He has a slightly recessive chin that gives his profile a softer look.
- The dentist noted a recessive lower jaw and recommended further evaluation.
- Photos from his twenties show a much less recessive hairline.
Learner examples
- He has a recessive chin.
- My hairline is becoming recessive.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
not standing out visually
If a color or design is recessive, it looks quiet and stays in the background.
Usage pattern:
a recessive [color/design/element]
Synonyms
subtle (General word for not strong or obvious.)
|
understated (Often suggests an intentional lack of showiness.)
Antonyms
bold (Bold elements attract attention strongly.)
|
striking (Striking elements are immediately noticeable.)
Collocations
recessive color
|recessive tones
|a recessive palette
|recessive design
|recessive detailing
|recessive background
Themes
art_design
|architecture
|communication
Examples
- They chose a recessive color scheme so the artwork would be the main focus.
- The building’s recessive façade makes the entrance feel more dramatic.
- In the final layout, the grid lines are recessive and the headings do the visual work.
Learner examples
- Use recessive colors for the background.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recessive
IPA
GB/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv/
US/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv/
Syllables & stress
re - cess - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cess)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: recessive
Expressions
autosomal recessive
1/ˈɔtoʊsəməl ɹɪsˈɛsɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
recessive on non-sex chromosomes
An autosomal recessive condition happens when a person gets two copies of a changed gene that is not on a sex chromosome.
Examples
- Tay-Sachs is an autosomal recessive disorder.
- Because it’s autosomal recessive, both parents are often unaffected carriers.
recessive allele
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv əlˈɛli/
fixed phrase
technical
allele masked by dominant
Examples
- If you inherit one dominant allele and one recessive allele, the dominant trait is usually the one you see.
- The study tracked the frequency of a recessive allele in the population.
recessive gene
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv d͡ʒˈin/
fixed phrase
technical
gene expressed only without dominance
A recessive gene usually affects you only if you get two copies.
Examples
- Both parents can carry a recessive gene without having the disease themselves.
- The counselor explained how a recessive gene can be passed on silently for generations.
recessive hairline
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv hˈɛɹlˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
hairline that has moved back
A recessive hairline is a hairline that is going back.
Examples
- He started wearing his hair forward to hide a recessive hairline.
- A recessive hairline can be an early sign of male-pattern hair loss.
recessive inheritance
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv ɪnhˈɛɹɪtəns/
fixed phrase
technical
inheritance requiring two copies
Examples
- The family history suggested recessive inheritance rather than a dominant pattern.
- Recessive inheritance can make a condition appear unexpectedly in a family.
recessive trait
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv tɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
genetic trait hidden by dominant one
A genetic trait that usually does not appear unless a person or animal gets the same gene for it from both parents.
Examples
- Blue eyes are often taught as an example of a recessive trait.
- A recessive trait can skip generations and appear in grandchildren.
- For a recessive trait to show, the organism must inherit the recessive gene from both parents.
recessive trait
1/ɹɪsˈɛsɪv tɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
trait needing two copies
A recessive trait usually appears only if you get it from both parents.
Examples
- In the worksheet, students predicted the chance of inheriting a recessive trait.
- A recessive trait may skip a generation if only one parent passes on the allele.