captive
Captive (noun) means a person who has been captured and is being held prisoner. Example: “The captives were released after months of negotiation.”
How to Use Captive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something held prisoner, or unable to leave or escape a situation.
Word Forms
captived past tense, captives plural, captives singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ were released after months of negotiation.
Etymology
From Latin captivus, "taken prisoner," from capio, "to seize" — a distant cousin of "capture" and "captor."
Antonyms
Rhymes for captive
See all rhymes for captive →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “captive” mean?
The word “captive” means a person who has been captured and is being held prisoner. In plain terms, someone or something held prisoner, or unable to leave or escape a situation.
How do you pronounce “captive”?
“Captive” is pronounced KAP-tihv (/ˈkæptɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “captive” in a sentence?
Here is “captive” used in a sentence: “The captives were released after months of negotiation.”
What is the opposite of “captive”?
The opposite of “captive” — its antonyms — are non-captive and noncaptive.
What part of speech is “captive”?
Depending on how it is used, “captive” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “captive” come from?
The word “captive” comes from Latin. From Latin captivus, "taken prisoner," from capio, "to seize" — a distant cousin of "capture" and "captor.".
Is “captive” a common word?
“Captive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “captive” have?
“Captive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who has been captured and is being held prisoner.