-ative

1. a combination of -ate ¹ and -ive, used to form adjectives from stems in -ate1 ( regulative ); on this model, because of the frequency and productivity of -ate ¹, used independently to form adjectives from stems of other origin:

   normative.

-ative

suffix forming adjectives

1. of, relating to, or tending to

   authoritative

   informative

   decorative

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ative¹

< Latin -ātīvus, equivalent to -āt ( us ) -ate ¹ + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ative¹

from Latin -ātīvus, from ātus -ate ¹+ īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Talk′able, capable of talking, or of being talked about; Talk′ative, given to much talking: prating.

From Project Gutenberg

Confirm′ative, tending to confirm; Confirm′atory, giving additional strength to: confirming; Confirmed′, settled: inveterate.

From Project Gutenberg

Augment′able, Augment′ative, having the quality or power of augmenting.

From Project Gutenberg

Cur′ative, Cur′atory, tending to cure; Cure′less, that cannot be cured.

From Project Gutenberg

Exclam′ative, Exclam′atory, containing or expressing exclamation.

From Project Gutenberg