English Reference
verb · adjective

derived

v. · adj.
US /dɝˈaɪvd/ UK /dɪɹˈaɪvd/ de·rived

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to have come from or been taken from a specific source.

    v.the past participle of 'derive', indicating that something was obtained, extracted, or traced back to a specific origin.

    Simple

    The new medicine was derived from a rare plant found in the rainforest.

    In context

    The legal principles applied in this case were derived from centuries of common law tradition rather than recent legislative changes.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice with the preposition 'from'.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Academic

    adj.something that is based on or created from something else, rather than being completely new.

    adj.describing something that is secondary or developed from a primary source; in linguistics, refers to a word formed from another.

    Simple

    The word 'happiness' is a derived word because it comes from 'happy'.

    In context

    Critics argued that the composer's later symphonies were overly derived, lacking the raw innovation of his early avant-garde period.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    adj.having traits that are different from an ancestor species.

    adj.pertaining to traits or conditions unique to a descendant species that were not present in its ancestral lineage.

    Simple

    Walking on two legs is a derived trait that separates humans from other apes.

    In context

    The presence of feathers is a derived characteristic that distinguishes the avian lineage from its reptilian ancestors.

The tribe’s name is derived from the Shoshone word sosoni , meaning high-growing grasses.

Smithsonian Magazine· 28 Jul 2026

His racist theory was derived from the results of an I.Q.

Smithsonian Magazine· 23 Jun 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated