# derive

/dɝˈaɪv/ (US) · /dɪɹˈaɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/derive
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to obtain from a source

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to get something, like a feeling or an advantage, from a specific source.

For teachers: to obtain or receive something from a specified source. Transitive; frequently used with the preposition 'from'.

- 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.

### 2. to originate or stem from

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to come from or start as something else.

For teachers: to have a specified beginning or origin. Intransitive; almost exclusively used with 'from'.

- 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.

### 3. to deduce by logic

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to reach a conclusion by looking at facts and using your reason.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to create a chemical compound

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to make a new chemical substance from another one.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Many English words derive from Latin.
- The local economy continues to derive significant benefits from the growing tourism industry in the coastal region.
- While the philosopher's early works derive their structure from classical logic, his later essays explore more experimental forms of reasoning that challenge traditional academic boundaries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.