derive

American  

[dih-rahyv] / dɪˈraɪv /

verb (used with object)

• derives,
  present (3rd person singular)
• derived,
  past participle,  past
• deriving
  present participle

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.”

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verb (used without object)

• derives,
  present (3rd person singular)
• derived,
  past participle,  past
• deriving
  present participle

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• deriver
  noun
• prederive
  verb (used with object)
• derivable
  adjective
• nonderivable
  adjective
• underivable
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• deriving
  present
• derived
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• derive
  simple
• derives
  simple
• have derived
  perfect
• has derived
  perfect
• am deriving
  progressive
• are deriving
  progressive
• is deriving
  progressive
• have been deriving
  perfect progressive
• has been deriving
  perfect progressive

Past

• derived
  simple
• had derived
  perfect
• was deriving
  progressive
• were deriving
  progressive
• had been deriving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will derive
  simple
• will have derived
  perfect
• will be deriving
  progressive
• will have been deriving
  perfect progressive

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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

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Explanation

If you want to talk about something that comes from something else, but you want to sound sophisticated and maybe financial or scientific, use derive, like so: That scent? It's derived from a solution of roses boiled with toothpicks. The word derive derives from (see how we did that?) the Latin rivus or stream, as in water. That image of the stream may help you remember the meaning of derive; you may picture tracing tiny streams back to their main source. Derive is a verb, as you can see, but it's often in the news in the noun form derivative: something that is derived from something else, as in "juice is a derivative of an orange."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

derive derives derived deriving

The key to the success of the method -- which the team informally dubbed "helping hands" -- is the transfer of healthy photosynthetic algae, also known as symbionts, from which corals derive their color.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

Mark Taylor, CEO of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority North West, told the BBC: "The incident led to a delay in the fishers being able to derive an income from the bed".

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Warsh has spoken at length about not trying to guide traders so as to derive a better signal about the economy from financial markets.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

It is worth remembering that the book’s insights derive from self-reported data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Hobbes would not have said that we derive our knowledge of the kings of France from authority; he would have said we derive it immediately from testimony and, ultimately, from sense experience.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Platinum’s value derives primarily from industrial uses and therefore is a proxy for economic activity, while gold proxies not only for that activity but also for geopolitical uncertainty.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

He derives energy from his students and from his four daughters, ages 14 to 20.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

“I genuinely see Iran’s relationship with the axis as one of interdependence. It derives some of its strength, information and access to global markets through these different groups,” Salisbury said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

"The Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world's leading football nations," it said.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

This principle of ever-more-exact measurement derives from Tycho Brahe; in tightening up the relationship between evidence and theory in physics, Galileo was extrapolating from the practices of the astronomers.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Shell's third quarter was boosted by record refining margins, which reflect the spread between the price of crude oil and the fuels derived from it.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

The guarantee derived from a calculation by Hoover’s engineering deputy, Arthur Powell Davis, that so much water flowed down the river that there would always be enough to meet every state’s needs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

Though such hits as “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Tiny Dancer” were derived from Mr. Taupin’s own experiences, few have been aware of it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Investors are increasingly questioning the sustainability of the capex cycle and whether sufficient returns can be derived from the initial investment, given the huge sums involved.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026

Much of the state’s revenue was derived not from direct taxation, but from duties placed on goods moving in and out of the port.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

A year ago, 13% of S&P 500 index constituents noted benefits deriving from AI adoption.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026

The chip maker is a major player in auto semiconductors, deriving around 55% to 60% of its revenue from the auto end market.

From Barron's ● Apr. 17, 2026

Meece said the city’s various appeals were aimed at deriving accurate maps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2025

The imagery which depicted gods, goddesses, supreme preachers and enlightened souls of three ancient religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism - was reimagined from symbolic to more recognisably deriving from human form.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2025

I asked, terrified at the unexpected sound, and incapable now of deriving from any occurrence a hope of aid.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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Related Words

• acquire
• assume
• collect
• determine
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• extract
• glean
• infer
• obtain
• receive

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