inductive

[ in-duhk-tiv ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving electrical induction or magnetic induction.
2. operating by induction:

   an inductive machine.

3. of, relating to, or employing logical induction:

   inductive reasoning.

4. Embryology. eliciting the action of an embryonic inducer.
5. serving to induce; leading or influencing (usually followed by to ).
6. introductory.

inductive

/ ɪnˈdʌktɪv /

adjective

1. relating to, involving, or operated by electrical or magnetic induction

   an inductive reactance

2. logic maths of, relating to, or using induction

   inductive reasoning

3. serving to induce or cause
4. a rare word for introductory
5. biology producing a reaction within an organism, esp induction in embryonic tissue

Confusables Note

See deductive.

Derived Forms

• inˈductively, adverb
• inˈductiveness, noun

Other Words From

• in·ductive·ly adverb
• in·ductive·ness noun
• anti-in·ductive adjective
• anti-in·ductive·ly adverb
• anti-in·ductive·ness noun
• prein·ductive adjective
• semi-in·ductive adjective
• unin·ductive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inductive¹

From the Late Latin word inductīvus, dating back to 1600–10. See induct, -ive

Example Sentences

In order to achieve such levels of accuracy, current testing requires a device called an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

From Science Daily

It underwent structural and compositional analysis using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Rietveld analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and selected-area electron diffraction.

From Science Daily

Using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the researchers found many particles that were of nanoscale size.

From Science Daily

Wireless, or inductive, EV charging works by using magnetic resonance and a charging pad to generate a power-transmitting field.

From Seattle Times

Copper inductive charging coils allow vehicles equipped with receivers to charge up their batteries while driving, idling or parking above the coils.

From Seattle Times

More About Inductive

What does inductive mean?

Inductive is most often used to describe a kind of reasoning or logic where general theories are formed from specific examples or incidents.

Inductive is an adjective form of the verb induct, meaning to bring about or bring in.

Simply put, inductive reasoning involves using specific observations, evidence, or patterns to make a broad conclusion. You first collect evidence or make observations and then form an answer or theory based on what you have found. Your answer can be likely, or probable, but you can’t know if it’s true without further observations. For example, after witnessing something happen at the same time every day for a year, you could use inductive reasoning to conclude that it is very likely that it will happen at the same time tomorrow.

However, inductive reasoning can often lead to wrong or illogical conclusions, even if all of the evidence is true. For example, if all the red-haired people you’ve ever met are left-handed, you might incorrectly use inductive reasoning to conclude that all red-haired people are left-handed.

Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning, which uses general, true information to reach specific conclusions: Dogs are mammals. Pluto is a dog. Pluto is a mammal. 

Inductive is also used to describe the scientific processes of electric and magnetic induction or things that function based on them.

Inductive is also used as a synonym for the word introductory.

Example: When police use fingerprints as evidence of a crime, they are using inductive reasoning to conclude who the likely criminal is.

Where does inductive come from?

The first records of inductive come from the early 1600s. It comes from the Late Latin word inductīvus, which is derived from the Latin verb indūcere, meaning “to introduce” or “to lead in.” The -ive ending indicates a tendency or connection (as with active and destructive).

In science and life, people often use both inductive and deductive reasoning to answer questions about the world around them. Formal inductive reasoning is complex, and a theory reached inductively should be tested to see if it is correct or makes sense. Police detectives, for example, often make theories about suspects based on inductive reasoning using crime scene evidence or witness interviews.

Faulty inductive logic can result in stereotypes. People can wrongly conclude that their observations of one person or a small group of people are true about every person of that group.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to inductive?

• inductively (adverb)
• inductiveness (noun)
• anti-inductive (adjective)
• anti-inductively (adverb)

What are some synonyms for inductive?

• a posteriori
• analytical
• inducible
• synthetic
• introductory

What are some words that share a root or word element with inductive? 

• induct
• induction
• induce
• predictive
• active

What are some words that often get used in discussing inductive?

• reasoning
• logic
• assumptions
• charging

What are some words inductive may be commonly confused with?

• deductive

How is inductive used in real life?

Inductive is most often used in the context of reasoning or logic.

Challenge your beliefs! Check your numbers! Ask questions! Use deductive and inductive reasoning! Listen, and THEN speak!

— spėctr͡e (@ghoulsglow) June 26, 2017

When people say "See you tomorrow" at the end of the workday I guess I probably shouldn't shout "INDUCTIVE LOGIC IS A LIE."

— RM (@dorsalstream) April 15, 2015

My experience of the US/Silicon Valley was that it was full of exceptional deductive thinkers and v few good inductive thinkers. But inductive thinking is far more valuable in highly uncertain environments imo. We don't talk about that enough.

— Eoin Hayes (@Eoin_Hayes) December 16, 2019

 

 

Try using inductive!

Is inductive used correctly in the following sentence?

Using inductive reasoning, I first came up with a general hypothesis and then collected evidence to test it.