derivative
imitative of others' work and lacking originality
Word origin: From Latin derivare, to draw off, from rivus, stream.
Derivative in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing derivative in a sentence.
Critics dismissed the film as a derivative copy of earlier hits.
Critics dismissed the band's debut as derivative, hearing little in it that earlier groups had not already done.
Using “derivative” well
As an adjective, derivative is a criticism: it means imitative and lacking originality, pairing with unoriginal and secondhand. The unrelated noun derivative carries neutral senses in finance and mathematics.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a scarcity or shortage of something
Questions about “derivative”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.