In a sentence
Six example sentences with derivative, each labelled with its topic.
Critics called the band's second album derivative, hearing whole choruses lifted from records made twenty years earlier.
Music
The sequel felt derivative, repeating the first film's jokes and camera moves without adding a single new idea.
Movies
The pitch failed because the product was derivative, copying a rival's interface so closely that even the icons matched.
Startups
The jury dismissed the canvas as derivative, a competent copy of a style that had been fresh forty years earlier.
Art
Reviewers found the fantasy trilogy derivative, with its wise wizard, lost heir, and dark tower lifted from older books.
Literature
Players called the racing game derivative, since its tracks, cars, and even its menu sounds echoed a rival from last year.
Gaming
Study derivative until you keep it
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Found in these word lists
Found in 12 published word lists
- Academic Word List (Coxhead 2000)Authoritative
- New Academic Word List (Browne/Culligan/Phillips 2013)Authoritative
- Science Vocabulary ListAuthoritative
- Manhattan Prep 1000 GRE WordsRecognized
- GRE 3000+ word list (widely used study list)Recognized
- 5000 GRE Words (widely used study list)Recognized
- GRE Word List 4700 (widely used study list)Recognized
- PrepScholar 357 GRE WordsRecognized
- Magoosh GRE 1000Recognized
- PowerScore GRE Repeat Offenders (699)Recognized
- GregMat 960 GRE WordsRecognized
- SparkNotes 1000 SAT WordsRecognized
Each source is a published word list that contains derivative. No exam board publishes an official GRE, GMAT or SAT list; GMAT words come from GRE lists and the Academic Word List.