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Synonyms

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.”


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

This is because both credit exports and NDCs are derived from a country’s national carbon inventory.

From The Wall Street Journal

While that exact dollar figure isn’t disclosed, it can be derived from Meta’s statement of shareholders’ equity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Starting in 1886, a series of games derived from the Horatio Alger books—with titles like From Log Cabin to the White House—caught the public’s fancy.

From The Wall Street Journal

These wealth figures are based on estimates of assets that they hold in their own names—whether or not that was derived from family wealth or business.

From The Wall Street Journal

For years, purchases made through Amazon have accounted for a larger percentage of overall U.S. retail sales than Walmart, but its revenue derived from retailing was smaller.

From The Wall Street Journal