adj
Uncommon
indicative
ihn-DIHK-uh-tihv
Indicative (adj) means serving as a sign or suggestion of something. Example: “His nervous laughter was indicative of how anxious he really was.”
adj
1
Serving as a sign or suggestion of something.
"He had pains indicative of a heart attack."
"His nervous laughter was indicative of how anxious he really was."
"A sudden drop in sales can be indicative of a deeper problem."
"Dark clouds are often indicative of rain on the way."
noun
1
(grammar) The verb mood used for stating facts, as opposed to wishes, commands, or hypotheticals.
""She runs every morning" uses the indicative mood."
"In French, this verb must be in the indicative here, not the subjunctive."
"Most everyday sentences, such as "He lives here", are in the indicative."
How to use indicative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShowing or suggesting something is true, or (in grammar) the mood used for plain statements of fact.
Common pairings
indicative of
the indicative mood
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Word forms
- Plural
- indicatives
- Comparative
- more indicative
- Superlative
- most indicative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His nervous laughter was _____ of how anxious he really was.
Etymology
From Late Latin indicativus, from indicare, "to indicate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for indicative
See all rhymes for indicative →Frequently asked questions
What does “indicative” mean?
The word “indicative” means serving as a sign or suggestion of something. In plain terms, showing or suggesting something is true, or (in grammar) the mood used for plain statements of fact.
How do you pronounce “indicative”?
“Indicative” is pronounced ihn-DIHK-uh-tihv (/ɪnˈdɪk.ə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “indicative” in a sentence?
Here is “indicative” used in a sentence: “His nervous laughter was indicative of how anxious he really was.”
What part of speech is “indicative”?
Depending on how it is used, “indicative” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “indicative” come from?
The word “indicative” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin indicativus, from indicare, "to indicate.".
Is “indicative” a common word?
“Indicative” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “indicative” have?
“Indicative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: serving as a sign or suggestion of something.
What is the difference between the indicative mood and the subjunctive mood?
The indicative mood is used for stating facts and things believed to be true, such as "She is happy." The subjunctive mood, by contrast, expresses wishes, hypotheticals, or demands, such as "If she were happy..." or "I suggest she be happy."
How is "indicative" used outside of grammar?
Outside grammar, "indicative" functions as an adjective meaning serving as a sign or suggestion of something, as in "rising prices are indicative of inflation." In this sense it is usually followed by "of" plus a noun.
Is "indicative" the same as the imperative mood?
No. The indicative mood states facts, while the imperative mood gives commands or instructions, such as "Close the door." They are two of several distinct grammatical moods in English.
