legislative
6 synonyms for legislative, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to making laws, or having the authority to make them.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use legislative
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
legislative branch
legislative power
legislative session
legislative reform
Etymology
From legislate plus the adjective-forming suffix -ive, ultimately from Latin legis lator, "proposer of a law".
Full origin of legislative →Frequently asked questions
What does “legislative” mean?
The word “legislative” means relating to making laws, or having the authority to make them. In plain terms, anything to do with the process or power of making laws.
How do you pronounce “legislative”?
“Legislative” is pronounced LEHJ-ih-sluh-tihv (/ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ɪˌsleɪ.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “legislative” in a sentence?
Here is “legislative” used in a sentence: “The legislative branch is separate from the courts and the executive.”
What part of speech is “legislative”?
Depending on how it is used, “legislative” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “legislative” come from?
The word “legislative” comes from Latin. From legislate plus the adjective-forming suffix -ive, ultimately from Latin legis lator, "proposer of a law".
Is “legislative” a common word?
“Legislative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “legislative” have?
“Legislative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to making laws, or having the authority to make them.
What is the difference between "legislative," "executive," and "judicial"?
These name the three branches of government: the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch carries them out, and the judicial branch interprets them and settles disputes. "Legislative" specifically concerns law-making bodies such as parliaments and congresses.
What is the difference between "legislative" and "legislature"?
"Legislative" is the adjective, describing anything relating to making laws, while "legislature" is the noun for the actual body that makes them. So you have "legislative powers" exercised by "the legislature."
What is the difference between "legislative" and "legislation"?
"Legislative" is an adjective meaning relating to law-making, whereas "legislation" is a noun meaning the laws themselves or the act of making them. A legislative body produces legislation.
