Word
derive
Phoneticsde·rive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɝˈaɪv/
UK/dɪɹˈaɪv/
Definitions
01to obtain from a source
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to get something, like a feeling or an advantage, from a specific source.
v. to obtain or receive something from a specified source. Transitive; frequently used with the preposition 'from'.
Español:derivar
“Many people derive great pleasure from gardening on the weekends.”
“The local economy derives significant benefits from the annual music festival, which attracts thousands of international tourists to the region.”
02to originate or stem from
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to come from or start as something else.
v. to have a specified beginning or origin. Intransitive; almost exclusively used with 'from'.
Español:derivar
“The word 'paper' derives from the name of the papyrus plant.”
“The modern legal framework derives from centuries of common law traditions and judicial precedents established in the high courts.”
03to deduce by logic
C1 · Advanced Logic Academic · Formal
v. to reach a conclusion by looking at facts and using your reason.
v. to deduce a conclusion or principle by reasoning from premises. Transitive; common in formal logic and scientific writing.
“Scientists can derive new theories by looking at the data from their experiments.”
“From these initial observations, the researchers were able to derive a mathematical model that predicts how the virus spreads through a population.”
04to create a chemical compound
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
v. to make a new chemical substance from another one.
v. to produce or obtain a compound from another substance by a chemical reaction.
“This medicine is derived from a rare type of tree bark.”
“The laboratory succeeded in deriving a stable isotope from the base element, marking a significant breakthrough in nuclear medicine.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “derive” in context.
Verb
01. derive benefit
“Many students derive benefit from having a structured study schedule.”
verb + noun
02. derive from
“Many modern English words derive from French and Latin roots.”
verb + prep
03. directly derive
“These new regulations directly derive from the recent safety audit.”
adv + verb
04. empirically derive
“The formula was empirically derived through years of laboratory testing.”
adv + verb
05. largely derive
“The company's profits largely derive from international sales.”
adv + verb
06. mainly derive
“Local traditions mainly derive from ancient agricultural festivals.”
adv + verb
07. originally derive
“The word 'salary' originally derived from the Latin word for salt.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Each belief would derive its support from further beliefs, which would themselves require further support, and so on without end.” “This equal four-step pattern is where the technique derives its name.” “Some dishes even derive their names from this belief: shāngxīn liángfěn , or “sad jelly noodles”, is said to be so named because the strong málà flavours will bring tears to your eyes.” “The holes derive from their source in items that had holes—old coins, washers, and nail-removing tools.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/derive
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0