derived

/dɪˈraɪvd/

Say it: dih-RIVED

1. adjective Obtained, developed, or sourced from something else.
The active ingredient in the medicine is derived from a common plant.
2. adjective (Linguistics) Formed from another word or root.
The English word 'justice' is derived from the Latin 'iustitia'.
3. adjective (Finance) Having a value that depends on or is determined by an underlying asset, such as a stock or commodity.
Options and futures are common types of derived financial instruments.
4. adjective (Chemistry) Formed from a parent compound through a chemical reaction.
Aspirin is a synthetic compound derived from salicylic acid.

📖 Seen in the wild

Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek roots.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ derived in a sentence

The film's plot is derived from a classic nineteenth-century novel.
Much of her happiness is derived from her close relationships with friends.
This statistical model is derived from years of economic data.
The artist's unique style is derived from a blend of traditional and modern techniques.
He argued that all human rights are derived from the inherent dignity of the person.
The term 'robot' is derived from a Czech word meaning 'forced labor'.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

obtained sourced extracted descended stemmed gleaned evolved inferred

obtained · more general, simply meaning 'acquired' without implying a process.

sourced · emphasizes the specific place or supplier something comes from.

extracted · suggests removing something from a larger whole, often with effort.

descended · implies a direct line of origin, like a family tree.

Opposites: original, fundamental, innate, primary, underived

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'derived' is the past participle of 'derive,' which flows into English from the Latin 'derivare,' meaning 'to draw off a stream from its source.' This comes from 'de-' (from, away) and 'rivus' (stream). The literal image of channeling water from a river beautifully captures the modern sense of tracing something back to its origin.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

derived from a sourcederived from the dataa value derived froma word derived fromdirectly derived from

'Derived' is a precise word that always points to an origin and is followed by the preposition 'from'. While neutral, it lends a sense of thoughtful analysis or scientific process, making it common in academic and technical fields. Be careful not to confuse it with 'contrived', which means created in an artificial or unbelievable way. 'Derived' implies a natural or logical origin, whereas 'contrived' implies the opposite.

Word family: derive, derivation, derivative

💬 Quick answers

What does 'derived' mean?

It means something is obtained, developed, or sourced from something else. It points to the origin or basis of an idea, word, substance, or product.

What is the difference between 'derived' and 'obtained'?

'Derived' implies a process of development or a logical connection to a source. 'Obtained' is more general, simply meaning 'to get' or 'acquire', without specifying the method or origin.

How is 'derived' used in a sentence?

It is almost always followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the source. For example, 'The theory is derived from his initial observations.'

Is 'derived' a formal word?

'Derived' is a neutral word that is common in formal, academic, and technical contexts because of its precision. However, it is also perfectly suitable for everyday conversation.

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