causative

adjective

caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv How to pronounce causative (audio)
1
: effective or operating as a cause or agent
causative bacteria of cholera
2
: expressing causation
specifically : being a linguistic form that indicates that the subject causes an act to be performed or a condition to come into being
causative noun
causatively adverb

Examples of causative in a Sentence

A virus was found to be the causative agent of smallpox.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The leading hypothesis centers on the idea that SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus, originated in animals then emerged humans following an event related to zoonotic spillover. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026 Lowers Stroke Risk Of the factors that increase stroke risk, diet is the most causative. — Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026 Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and fatigue that overlap considerably with other gastrointestinal illnesses, making clinical diagnosis difficult without specific laboratory testing to identify the causative pathogen. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2026 Rest can mean either stepping away from the causative activity for a bit or reducing the frequency or intensity. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for causative

Word History

Etymology

Middle English causatyf (as noun; Old Scots causative as adjective), borrowed from Medieval Latin causātīvus, going back to Late Latin, "expressing reason, of a cause," from Latin causātus (past participle of causārī "to plead an action in law, plead as an excuse") + -īvus -ive — more at cause entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of causative was in the 15th century

Rhymes for causative

See All Rhymes for causative

Browse Nearby Words

causationist
causative
causatum
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Causative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/causative. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

causative

adjective
caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv How to pronounce causative (audio)
: making something happen or exist
a causative agent of disease

Legal Definition

causative

adjective
caus·​a·​tive ˈkȯ-zə-tiv How to pronounce causative (audio)
1
: effective or operating as a cause
the causative negligent act
2
: causal sense 2
the causative link between stress and coronary artery disease—National Law Journal
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