derive
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to get something, like a feeling or an advantage, from a specific source.
to obtain or receive something from a specified source. Transitive; frequently used with the preposition 'from'.
Simple“Many people derive great pleasure from gardening on the weekends.”
In context“The local economy derives significant benefits from the annual music festival, which attracts thousands of international tourists to the region.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to come from or start as something else.
to have a specified beginning or origin. Intransitive; almost exclusively used with 'from'.
Simple“The word 'paper' derives from the name of the papyrus plant.”
In context“The modern legal framework derives from centuries of common law traditions and judicial precedents established in the high courts.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
to reach a conclusion by looking at facts and using your reason.
to deduce a conclusion or principle by reasoning from premises. Transitive; common in formal logic and scientific writing.
Simple“Scientists can derive new theories by looking at the data from their experiments.”
In context“From these initial observations, the researchers were able to derive a mathematical model that predicts how the virus spreads through a population.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
to make a new chemical substance from another one.
to produce or obtain a compound from another substance by a chemical reaction.
Simple“This medicine is derived from a rare type of tree bark.”
In context“The laboratory succeeded in deriving a stable isotope from the base element, marking a significant breakthrough in nuclear medicine.”
Synonyms
Usage derive benefit · derive from · directly derive
“This equal four-step pattern is where the technique derives its name.”
From Middle English deriven, from Old French deriver, from Latin dērīvō (“to lead, turn, or draw off (a liquid), draw off, derive”), from dē (“away”) + rīvus (“a stream”); see rival. Unrelated to arrive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.