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transitive verb

noun

, Grammar.
  1. a verb accompanied by a direct object and from which a passive can be formed, as deny, rectify, elect.


transitive verb

  1. A verb that needs a direct object to complete its meaning. Bring , enjoy , and prefer are transitive verbs. ( Compare intransitive verb .)


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Notes

Some verbs can be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another: turned is transitive in “Brenda turned the wheel sharply” but intransitive in “Fred turned when I called.”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of transitive verb1

First recorded in 1580–90
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Compare Meanings

How does transitive verb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

This demonstrates the fundamental difference between a talk-variety show where the title delineates the host by using a preposition, "with," instead of a transitive verb, i.e, "starring."

From Salon

So did the Argentine military turn “disappear” into a transitive verb and the ocean into a mass grave.

You can’t fake a transitive verb As it turns out, I’m not the only one who falls into this trap.

But it is a legitimate transitive verb: I looked it up.

The man is a transitive verb, a frantic genius and maybe even a darkly comic psycho — as are many of the great American filmmakers.

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