derivative.

1. Developed from something already existing rather than originating independently.

2. A quantity or expression describing how a function changes as its input changes at a specified point.

3. A financial instrument whose value depends on an underlying asset, rate, index or other reference.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• derivative work
• derivative argument

On the page

The essay’s argument was derivative, but its application to the archive was new.

A derivative account can still be useful if it clearly identifies its sources.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Comparative more derivative; superlative most derivative where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: analysis, comparison, evaluation. Disciplines: academic writing, institutional studies. Commonness: moderately common.