adjective
B2
Upper-Intermediate
intransitive
in-TRAN-suh-tiv
Intransitive (adjective) means describing a verb that does not take a direct object. Example: “In the sentence 'The baby slept', the verb is intransitive.”
adjective
1
technical Describing a verb that does not take a direct object.
"In the sentence 'The baby slept', the verb is intransitive."
"Verbs such as 'arrive' and 'sleep' are intransitive."
"The dictionary marks each verb as transitive or intransitive."
noun
1
technical An intransitive verb.
"Some grammar books list the common intransitives in a table."
"'Sleep' is an intransitive."
How to use intransitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed of a verb that does not need an object.
When to use it
It is a grammatical term, common in teaching and dictionaries.
Memory tip
Test a verb by asking 'what?' or 'whom?' after it; if there is no answer, it is intransitive.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
intransitive verb
intransitive use
an intransitive sense
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the sentence 'The baby slept', the verb is _____.
Etymology
The word is formed from the prefix in- and transitive.
Synonyms
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nontransitive
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for intransitive
See all rhymes for intransitive →Frequently asked questions
What does intransitive mean in grammar?
An intransitive verb does not take a direct object. For example, 'she laughed' needs nothing after the verb.
What is the opposite of intransitive?
The opposite is transitive.
Can a verb be both transitive and intransitive?
Yes, many verbs can be used in either way depending on the sentence, such as 'read' in 'I read' and 'I read a book'.
What is the meaning of intransitive?
"intransitive" (adjective) means describing a verb that does not take a direct object.
