-ative

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a combination of -ate¹ and -ive, used to form adjectives from stems in -ate1 (regulative); on this model, because of the frequency and productivity of -ate¹, used independently to form adjectives from stems of other origin: normative.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of -ative

<Latin -ātīvus, equivalent to -āt(us) -ate¹ + -īvus-ive

Words nearby -ative

atishoo, at issue, at it, Atitlán, Ativan, -ative, ATK, Atka Island, Atka mackerel, Atkins, Atkinson

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -ative in a sentence

Talk′able, capable of talking, or of being talked about; Talk′ative, given to much talking: prating.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
Confirm′ative, tending to confirm; Confirm′atory, giving additional strength to: confirming; Confirmed′, settled: inveterate.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Augment′able, Augment′ative, having the quality or power of augmenting.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Cur′ative, Cur′atory, tending to cure; Cure′less, that cannot be cured.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

Exclam′ative, Exclam′atory, containing or expressing exclamation.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -ative

-ative

suffix forming adjectives

of, relating to, or tending toauthoritative; decorative; informative

Word Origin for -ative

from Latin -ātīvus, from ātus -ate 1 + īvus -ive

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