dative

What is another word for dative? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Adjective — Describing the grammatical case used for the indirect object of a verb, often the person or thing that receives something.

We haven't recorded synonyms for dative yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use dative

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

dative case dative singular dative plural dative form dative ending

It is a technical term used mainly when discussing grammar and languages.

Etymology

The word comes from Latin datīvus, meaning appropriate for giving. That Latin word was formed from datus, the past participle of the verb meaning to give, plus the suffix -ive.

Full origin of dative →

Frequently asked questions

What does dative mean in grammar?

Dative is the case of a noun that marks the indirect object, usually the one receiving something. In English this idea is normally shown with the words to or for.

Where does the word dative come from?

It comes from the Latin datīvus, meaning appropriate for giving, which is linked to the Latin verb for to give.

Is dative a noun or an adjective?

It is both. As an adjective it describes the case, and as a noun it names the case itself or a word in that case.

Nearby words

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