causative
Americanadjective
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grammar relating to a form or class of verbs, such as persuade, that express causation
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producing an effect
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of causative
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin causātīvus, equivalent to causāt ( us ) caused ( see causation) + -īvus -ive
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.
In the film, the temporal correlation between increased use of plastics and decreasing sperm count is presented as causative.
From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026
The findings echo those of a similar review published last November, which also failed to find convincing evidence of a causative link between Tylenol and autism.
From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026
“Regardless of whether there is a causative relationship between music engagement and decreased dementia risk, listening to more music can’t be a bad thing.”
From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025
"The school put in place timely and appropriate measures to support Georgia and was not in any way causative of her death," the coroner told the hearing in Ipswich.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025
The causative relation between pathogenic organisms and many diseases had been established through the brilliant work of Pasteur and Koch.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
