Volitive

//ˈvɑlətɪv// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A verb form found in certain languages which indicates that a certain action is willed, although it may not be performed in fact. uncountable
  2. 2
    A specific volitive form of a verb. countable, uncountable
Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or pertaining the will or volition. not-comparable
  2. 2
    In the volitive; expressing a wish. not-comparable

Etymology

From Medieval Latin volitivus (from volo (“want”) + -ivus), a Scholastic translation of the Ancient Greek θελητικός (thelētikós), from θέλησις (thélēsis, “a will, a willing”).

Related phrases

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