transitive verb

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a verb accompanied by a direct object and from which a passive can be formed, as deny, rectify, elect.

---

transitive verb Cultural  

1. A verb that needs a direct object to complete its meaning. Bring, enjoy, and prefer are transitive verbs. (Compare intransitive verb.)

---

Discover More

Some verbs can be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another: turned is transitive in “Brenda turned the wheel sharply” but intransitive in “Fred turned when I called.”

Etymology

Origin of transitive verb

First recorded in 1580–90

Compare meaning

How does transitive-verb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transitive verb vs. intransitive verb

Example Sentences

This demonstrates the fundamental difference between a talk-variety show where the title delineates the host by using a preposition, "with," instead of a transitive verb, i.e, "starring."

From Salon

You can’t fake a transitive verb As it turns out, I’m not the only one who falls into this trap.

From The Verge

But it is a legitimate transitive verb: I looked it up.

From Washington Post

The man is a transitive verb, a frantic genius and maybe even a darkly comic psycho — as are many of the great American filmmakers.

From Los Angeles Times

Merriam-Webster also has an entry for “complexify,” a transitive verb meaning “to make complex.”

From Los Angeles Times