intransitive
intransitive Lexical Profile
intransitive Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of a verb or clause, not taking a direct object to complete its meaning.
"In the sentence 'The baby slept peacefully,' the verb 'slept' is intransitive because it does not act upon an object."
In mathematics and logic, of a binary relation, not holding between a first and third element whenever it holds between the first and second and between the second and third.
"The classic game of rock-paper-scissors relies on an intransitive relationship in which rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and paper beats rock."
• noun
An intransitive verb or grammatical construction.
"In English grammar, pure intransitives like 'arrive' and 'sneeze' cannot be used in the passive voice."
Word Nuance & Usage
Many English verbs are ambitransitive, meaning they can function as both transitive and intransitive depending on whether a direct object is present in the clause (e.g., 'She reads every night' vs. 'She reads a book').
• Rhymes for intransitive
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Late Latin intransitīvus ('not passing over to another'), formed from in- ('not') and transitīvus ('passing over'), from the verb transīre ('to go across').