Dictionary.com

privative

[ priv-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈprɪv ə tɪv /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for privative on Thesaurus.com
adjective
causing, or tending to cause, deprivation.
consisting in or characterized by the taking away, loss, or lack of something.
Grammar. indicating negation or absence.
noun
Grammar. a privative element, as a- in asymmetric.
something that is deprived.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of privative

1350–1400; Middle English privatif<Latin prīvātīvus.See private, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM privative

priv·a·tive·ly, adverb

Words nearby privative

private trust, private view, private viewdata, privation, privatism, privative, privatization issue, privatize, privet, privet hawk, privilege
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to privative

adverse, gloomy, pessimistic, unfavorable, weak, abrogating, annulling, anti, con, contrary, contravening, denying, disallowing, disavowing, dissenting, gainsaying, impugning, invalidating, jaundiced, naysaying

How to use privative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for privative

privative
/ (ˈprɪvətɪv) /
adjective
causing privation
expressing lack or negation, as for example the English suffix -less and prefix un-
logic obsolete (of a proposition) that predicates a logical privation

Derived forms of privative

privatively, adverb

Word Origin for privative

C16: from Latin prīvātīvus indicating loss, negative
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
FEEDBACK