intransitive

American  

[in-tran-si-tiv] / ɪnˈtræn sɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. noting or having the quality of an intransitive verb.

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noun

1. intransitive verb.

intransitive British  

/ ɪnˈtrænsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. 1. denoting a verb when it does not require a direct object

   2. denoting a verb that customarily does not require a direct object

      "to faint" is an intransitive verb

   3. (as noun) a verb in either of these categories

2. denoting an adjective or noun that does not require any particular noun phrase as a referent

3. logic maths (of a relation) having the property that if it holds between one argument and a second, and between the second and a third, it must fail to hold between the first and the third

   "being the mother of" is an intransitive relation

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intransitiveness
  noun
• intransitively
  adverb
• intransitivity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of intransitive

From the Latin word intrānsitīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See in- ³, transitive

Example Sentences

With any set of intransitive dice, whoever chooses first in Buffett’s game bears a disadvantage, because the second player can always pick the die that’s likely to defeat their opponent’s choice.

From Scientific American • Sep. 19, 2023

Missing hyphens or incorrect capitalization, ambiguities about singular and plural nouns or transitive and intransitive verbs — no question is too insignificant.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2023

Missing hyphens or incorrect capitalization, ambiguities about singular and plural nouns or transitive and intransitive verbs - no question is too insignificant.

From Washington Times • May 29, 2023

“To bald” may not be a common intransitive verb, but that has not prevented “balding” from entering the language as a participle.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 2, 2019

The verb lie is an intransitive verb and can have no object after it.

From Every-Day Errors of Speech by Meredith, L. P.