-ive

a suffix of adjectives (and nouns of adjectival origin) expressing tendency, disposition, function, connection, etc.: active; corrective; destructive; detective; passive; sportive.

Content related to -ive

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Words nearby -ive

-itis, -itive, -itol, -ity, -ium, -ive, -ivus, -ization, -ize, -ji, -kin

Compare -ative, -itive.

Origin of -ive

< Latin -īvus; in some words, representing French -ive, feminine of -if

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British Dictionary definitions for -ive

-ive

suffix

(forming adjectives) indicating a tendency, inclination, character, or qualitydivisive; prohibitive; festive; massive

(forming nouns of adjectival origin)detective; expletive

Word Origin for -ive

from Latin -īvus

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