ENGLISH
REFERENCE

derived

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɝˈaɪvd// UK //dɪɹˈaɪvd// de·rived Archaic

v. to get something from a specific source. You use this when one thing comes from or is based on another thing.

v. to obtain or receive something from a specified source; to trace the origin of something. Often used in the passive voice to describe the etymology of words or the chemical origin of substances.


SIMPLE

Many modern medicines are derived from plants.

CONTEXTUAL

The English word 'paper' is derived from the Greek word for the papyrus plant.

COMPLEX

The legal team argued that the evidence was inadmissible because it was derived from an illegal search, violating the defendant's constitutional rights.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and is frequently followed by the preposition 'from'.

Pitfall

The word derives of LatinThe word is derived from LatinThe verb requires the preposition 'from' rather than 'of' to indicate the source.

© 2026 English Reference