Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. (grammar, of a verb) Not transitive: not having, or not taking, a direct object.
2. (rare) Not transitive or passing further; kept; detained.
3. (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.
4. (grammar) An intransitive verb.

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

Antonyms for intransitive

Related Words

When Should You Use Intransitive?

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

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