definitions

-ative

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

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Nearby words

-ata, -ate, -athon, -atic, -ation, -ative, -ator, -atory, -bacter, -bashing, -biont

Origin of -ative

< Latin -ātīvus, equivalent to -āt(us) -ate1 + -īvus -ive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for -ative

-ative

suffix forming adjectives

of, relating to, or tending toauthoritative; decorative; informative

Word Origin for -ative

from Latin -ātīvus, from ātus -ate 1 + īvus -ive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012