privative
ˈpraɪvətɪv
Definition Synonyms

Definition of privative - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

languageTECH.showing that something is missing or not presentTECH.
  • A privative prefix changes the meaning to its opposite.
negating negative

Noun

1.
linguistic termTECH.word or form that denotes the absence of somethingTECH.
  • In grammar, 'dis-' is a common privative..
2.
absenceDatedsomething that causes deprivation or indicates absenceDated
  • The concept of zero is a privative in mathematics.
absence deprivation
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with privative

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
word formed with the prefix a- or an-
'Atypical' is an example of an alpha privative.

Origin of privative

Latin, privativus (depriving)

Examples of privative in a sentence

  • Privative adjectives indicate the absence of a quality.
  • The prefix 'un-' is another example of a privative.
  • 'A-' in 'atypical' is a privative.
  • In linguistics, silence can be a privative.
  • Darkness is often considered a privative in philosophy.

View all translations of privative

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:privatif, terme privatif, ...
  2. German:privativ, Privativ, ...
  3. Italian:privativo, ...
  4. Spanish:privativo, indicador de ausencia, ...
  5. Portuguese:privativo, prefixo privativo, ...
  6. Chinese:否定的, 否定词, ...
  7. Japanese:否定的な, 否定語, ...
  8. Arabic:سالب, أَدَاة سَلْب, ...
  9. Hebrew:חָסֵר, פְּרִיבֵּטִיב, ...
  10. Russian:отрицательный, отрицательное слово, ...
  11. Ukrainian:приватний, негативне слово, ...
  12. Hindi:अभावसूचक, अभाववाचक, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “p”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery