derive

American  

[dih-rahyv] / dɪˈraɪv /

verb (used with object)

derived, deriving

1. to receive or obtain from a source or origin (usually followed byfrom ).

   Synonyms:

   net, reap, gather, glean, attain, gain

2. to trace from a source or origin.

   English words derived from German.

3. to reach or obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer.

4. Chemistry. to produce or obtain (a substance) from another.

5. Grammar. to create (a new linguistic form) by adding affixes to or changing the shape of a root or base.

   The word “runner” is derived from “run.”

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verb (used without object)

derived, deriving

1. to come from a source or origin; originate (often followed byfrom ).

derive British  

/ dɪˈraɪv /

verb

1. (usually foll by from) to draw or be drawn (from) in source or origin; trace or be traced

2. (tr) to obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer

3. (tr) to trace the source or development of

4. (usually foll by from) to produce or be produced (from) by a chemical reaction

5. maths to obtain (a function) by differentiation

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Other Word Forms

• derivable
  adjective
• deriver
  noun
• nonderivable
  adjective
• prederive
  verb (used with object)
• underivable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of derive

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diriven, deriven “to flow, draw from, spring,” from Anglo-French, Old French deriver, from Latin dērīvāre “to lead off,” equivalent to dē- de- + rīv(us) “a stream” + -āre infinitive suffix

Explanation

If you want to talk about something that comes from something else, but you want to sound sophisticated and maybe financial or scientific, use derive, like so: That scent? It's derived from a solution of roses boiled with toothpicks. The word derive derives from (see how we did that?) the Latin rivus or stream, as in water. That image of the stream may help you remember the meaning of derive; you may picture tracing tiny streams back to their main source. Derive is a verb, as you can see, but it's often in the news in the noun form derivative: something that is derived from something else, as in "juice is a derivative of an orange."

Example Sentences

Indeed, the council has set up its own business called Derive to build homes that will be for rent only.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2025

I quickly fell in love with the tree skiing, bouncing down a slope named for the Canadian Olympic snowboarder Dominique Maltais and hunting out powder among the trees on L’Archipel and La Derive.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2022

In September 2018, the agency settled a case with a Florida firm called Derive Systems, which allegedly manufactured and sold approximately 363,000 parts.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2020

Derive the equation for the vertical acceleration of a rocket.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Derive a revenue from their paper currency, 401.

From An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Garnier, Germain

Related Words

• acquire
• assume
• collect
• determine
• develop
• evolve
• extract
• glean
• infer
• obtain
• receive