intransitive

[ in-tran-si-tiv ]

adjective

1. noting or having the quality of an intransitive verb.

noun

1. intransitive verb.

intransitive

/ ɪnˈtrænsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. 1. denoting a verb when it does not require a direct object
   2. denoting a verb that customarily does not require a direct object

      "to faint" is an intransitive verb

   3. as noun a verb in either of these categories
2. denoting an adjective or noun that does not require any particular noun phrase as a referent
3. logic maths (of a relation) having the property that if it holds between one argument and a second, and between the second and a third, it must fail to hold between the first and the third

   "being the mother of" is an intransitive relation

Derived Forms

• inˌtransiˈtivity, noun
• inˈtransitively, adverb

Other Words From

• in·transi·tive·ly adverb
• in·transi·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intransitive¹

From the Latin word intrānsitīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See in- ³, transitive

Example Sentences

With any set of intransitive dice, whoever chooses first in Buffett’s game bears a disadvantage, because the second player can always pick the die that’s likely to defeat their opponent’s choice.

From Scientific American

Missing hyphens or incorrect capitalization, ambiguities about singular and plural nouns or transitive and intransitive verbs — no question is too insignificant.

From Seattle Times

Missing hyphens or incorrect capitalization, ambiguities about singular and plural nouns or transitive and intransitive verbs - no question is too insignificant.

From Washington Times

It says so in the Oxford English Dictionary, the authority on our language, and Merriam-Webster agrees—it’s an intransitive verb, just as it’s used in the examples above.

From Golf Digest

“To bald” may not be a common intransitive verb, but that has not prevented “balding” from entering the language as a participle.

From The New Yorker