intransitive
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
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denoting a verb when it does not require a direct object
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denoting a verb that customarily does not require a direct object
"to faint" is an intransitive verb
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(as noun) a verb in either of these categories
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denoting an adjective or noun that does not require any particular noun phrase as a referent
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intransitive
From the Latin word intrānsitīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See in- 3, transitive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Intransitive dice surprise our intuitions because the relation “typically rolls higher than” is not transitive, even though it seems like it should be.
From Scientific American • Sep. 19, 2023
Intransitive verbs have therefore no object and no passive voice.
From The International Auxiliary Language Esperanto Grammar and Commentary by Cox, George
Intransitive verbs.—An act may take place, and yet no object be affected by it.
From A Handbook of the English Language by Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)
Sometimes an Intransitive Verb takes an Accusative of Result which is of kindred etymology with the Verb.
From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)
Sanders's Grammar has three; "Transitive, Intransitive, and Neuter;" and two voices, both transitive!
From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
