Intransitive

Quick meaning: Intransitive is an adjective meaning (grammar, of a verb) Not transitive: not having, or not taking, a direct object.

Meaning

(grammar, of a verb) Not transitive: not having, or not taking, a direct object.

More Meanings

1. (grammar) An intransitive verb.
2. (probability) Of a set of dice: containing three dice A, B, and C, with the property that A rolls higher than B more than half the time, and B rolls higher than C more than half the time, but lacking the property that A rolls higher than C more than half the time. See intransitive dice and intransitive game.
3. (rare) Not transitive or passing further; kept; detained.

Example Sentences

The word "drink" is a transitive verb in "they drink wine", but an intransitive one in "they drink often."

1664-1667, Jeremy Taylor, Dissuasive from Popery And then it is for the image's sake and so far is intransitive; but whatever is paid more to the image is transitive and passes further.

This means that subcategorization properties do not allow us to distinguish between transitives and intransitives (both types of verbs are allowed, but not obliged, to take a direct object).

Word Forms

• intransitives

Synonyms for intransitive

Depending on context, synonyms include neuter, nontransitive.

Antonyms for intransitive

Common opposites include transitive.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include intr, unergative, unaccusative, impersonal, nontransitive, untransitive.

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