Meaning

forms adjectives with meaning "having the specified thing".

Definitions by Sense

1. forms adjectives with meaning "having the specified thing"
2. forms adjectives with meaning "characterized by the specified thing"
3. forms adjectives with meaning "resembling the specified thing"
4. (obsolete) up until Early Modern English, formed regular past participles of verbs ending in -ate. Rare afterwards except in archaizing poetry or religious writing. The alternative ending -ated was used from as early as Middle English
5. derives verbs (mostly) from Latin stems
6. (rare) forms nouns meaning "person or thing that is either the object of a performed transitive verb or the subject of an intransitive one"
7. (obsolete) forms nouns meaning "person or thing that is the subject of a transitive verb"
8. (biology) forms nouns meaning "specimen of a corresponding taxon ending in -ata"

Example Sentences

lobate — “having lobes, lobed”

Italianate — “characterized by Italian features”

palmate — “resembling a palm leaf”

formulate ← fōrmula

phonate ← φωνή (phōnḗ)

affiliate — “a person having been affiliated; literally, affiliated”

diffus(e) + -ate → diffusate (“in a process of dialysis, material that has diffused”)

assassin + -ate → assassinate (“an assassin”)

Word Forms

• more -ate
• most -ate
• -ates
• -ating
• -ated

Synonyms for -ate

When Should You Use -ate?

Use -ate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions