derivative

Sometimes der·i·vate

[dih-riv-uh-tiv]

adjective

1. derived.

2. not original; secondary.

noun

1. something that has been derived.

2. Also called derived form. Grammar.,  a form that has undergone derivation from another, as atomic from atom.

3. Chemistry.,  a substance or compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another substance or compound.

4. especially British, differential coefficient. Also called differential quotient. Mathematics.,  the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function to the increment of a variable in it, as the latter tends to 0; the instantaneous change of one quantity with respect to another, as velocity, which is the instantaneous change of distance with respect to time.

5. a financial contract whose value derives from the value of underlying stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, etc.

derivative

/ dɪˈrɪvətɪv /

adjective

1. resulting from derivation; derived

2. based on or making use of other sources; not original or primary

3. copied from others, esp slavishly; plagiaristic

noun

1. a term, idea, etc, that is based on or derived from another in the same class

2. a word derived from another word

3. chem a compound that is formed from, or can be regarded as formed from, a structurally related compound

   chloroform is a derivative of methane

4. maths

   1. Also called: differential coefficient.  first derivative. the change of a function, f( x ), with respect to an infinitesimally small change in the independent variable, x ; the limit of [f( a + Δ x )–f( a )] / Δ x , at x = a , as the increment, Δ x , tends to 0. Symbols: df( x )/d x , f′( x ), Df( x )

      the derivative of xn is nxn–1

   2. the rate of change of one quantity with respect to another

      velocity is the derivative of distance with respect to time

5. finance a financial instrument, such as a futures contract or option, the price of which is largely determined by the commodity, currency, share price, interest rate, etc, to which it is linked

6. psychoanal an activity that represents the expression of hidden impulses and desires by channelling them into socially acceptable forms

derivative

1. In calculus, the slope of the tangent line to a curve at a particular point on the curve. Since a curve represents a function, its derivative can also be thought of as the rate of change of the corresponding function at the given point. Derivatives are computed using differentiation.

Other Word Forms

• derivatively adverb
• derivativeness noun
• nonderivative adjective
• nonderivatively adverb
• underivative adjective
• underivatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of derivative¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English derivatif, from Late Latin dērīvātīvus, equivalent to Latin dērīvāt(us) ( derivation ) + -īvus suffix; -ive

Example Sentences

In a related move, the new exchange is acquiring MIAXdx, a business that clears and executes derivatives trades.

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Still, with just two days until Thanksgiving, they “might tell most of this week’s story before many participants head out ahead of the break,” notes Joe Mazzola, head trading and derivatives strategist at Charles Schwab.

Read more on Barron's

Urea sales should also recover following Sabah plant’s turnaround, though weaker polyethylene prices and new capacity additions in China will continue to pressure the olefins and derivatives division, keeping 2026 outlook challenging, he adds.

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Matthew Tym, head of equity derivatives trading at Cantor Fitzgerald, said his clients didn’t seem especially panicked.

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“Finally, the United States should incentivize and reward American companies that source U.S.-produced critical minerals and derivative products.”

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Related Words

• by-product