Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

dative

/ˈdeɪtɪv/ adjective

In Latin: datīvus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about dative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
In one’s gift; capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an office or other privilege.
Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; — said of an officer.

noun

The dative case.
A word inflected in the dative case.

Origin

From Latin datīvus (“appropriate for giving”), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“to give”)) + -īvus (“-ive”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word