attributive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

UK /əˈtɹɪ.bju.tɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #1419313

Meanings

1

adj
Describing a word, usually an adjective, that comes directly before the noun it modifies.

In "a tall building," the word "tall" is attributive, but in "the building is tall," it is predicative.
2

noun
An attributive word or phrase, one that modifies a noun while standing directly before it.

In "the kitchen table," the word "kitchen" functions as an attributive.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · describing a word, usually... prenominal

Word family

Derived forms attributivelyattributivenessmultiattributivenonattributiveunattributive

Related forms attribute

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

attributive genitive
a genitive word or form used before a noun to modify it

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From attribute + -ive.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# attributive

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (UK):** /əˈtɹɪ.bju.tɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 1419313

## Meanings
1. Describing a word, usually an adjective, that comes directly before the noun it modifies.
2. An attributive word or phrase, one that modifies a noun while standing directly before it.

## Examples
- In "a tall building," the word "tall" is attributive, but in "the building is tall," it is predicative.
- In "the kitchen table," the word "kitchen" functions as an attributive.

## Derived Forms
- attributively
- attributiveness
- multiattributive
- nonattributive
- unattributive

## Related Forms
- attribute

## Etymology
From attribute + -ive.

## AI Etymology
Attributive is from attribute + -ive. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adjectival form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include describing a word, usually an adjective, that comes directly before the noun it modifies and an attributive word or phrase, one that modifies a noun while standing directly before it. The wider family includes derived forms such as attributively, attributiveness, multiattributive, nonattributive, and unattributive and related words such as attribute.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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