Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

attributive

Pronunciation: /əˈtrɪbjʊtɪv/
Translate attributive | into German | into Italian
Definition of attributive

adjective

Grammar
  • (of an adjective or other modifier) preceding the word that it modifies and expressing an attribute, as old in the old dog (but not in the dog is old) and expiry in expiry date. Contrasted with predicative.

Derivatives

attributively

adverb

Origin:

mid 18th century (as a noun in the sense 'a word expressing an attribute'): from French attributif, -ive, from attribut 'an attribute', from Latin attribuere 'add to' (see attribute)

attributive in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of attributive in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …