Applicative

//əˈplɪkətɪv// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A grammatical construct that casts a peripheral noun phrase as direct object.

    "It remains a puzzle why some languages allow multiple applicatives while others prohibit them. In Salish, examples of multiple applicatives are attested in Columbian, Lushootseed, Tillamook, and the three Northern Interior languages."

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having practical application; applicable.
  2. 2
    Of a programming language: using successive functional transformations on data to arrive at a result.
  3. 3
    Involving the application of an operator on an operand.
Adjective
  1. 1
    readily applicable or practical wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
applicatorypractical

Example

More examples

"If "Oz" interests you, read the article "Causative and applicative constructions in Australian Aboriginal Languages.""

Etymology

From applicate + -ive.

Related phrases

direct objectnoun phraseprogramming language

More for "applicative"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.