Latin · suffix
-ivus
characterized by
Words sharing this root
abortiveFailing to achieve the intended result.abortiveRelating to or causing the termination of a pregnancy.abusiveInvolving harmful treatment or misuse.activeDoing or producing action rather than remaining passive.additiveOperating by adding something to an existing whole.adjectiveA word that describes or modifies a noun, or serving that role.administrativeRelating to managing or organizing an institution's activities.adoptiveConnected through adoption rather than by birth.apprehensiveAnxious or uneasy about something that may happen.attractiveDrawing something toward itself.authoritativeCommanding trust or respect through recognized authority.captiveKept under control or unable to leave or escape.cognitiveRelating to the mental processes of gaining and using knowledge.collectiveOrganized or considered as a unified group.communicativeWilling or able to share information, thoughts, or feelings.consecutiveFollowing one after another without a gap.constrictiveMaking something tighter or more restricted.constructiveContributing to building or improving something.copulativeLinking a subject to its complement in grammar.curativeAble or intended to restore health, or a treatment that does so.cursiveA flowing style of handwriting with joined letters.deceptiveLikely or intended to mislead.decisiveSettling a matter firmly and clearly.deductiveInvolving subtraction or removal.deductiveUsing general principles to reach specific conclusions.defectiveFlawed or not working properly.defensiveDirected toward protection against attack.definitiveEstablishing something conclusively and precisely.demonstrativeServing to point out or display something clearly.descriptiveReporting how something actually is.destructiveCausing damage, harm, or ruin.digestiveHelping the body break down food.diminutiveUnusually small.directiveAn official instruction or something that gives authoritative guidance.distinctiveHaving qualities that make someone or something stand out from others.effectiveSuccessful in producing the intended result.effectiveExisting or functioning in practice, whether formally recognized or not.effectivelyIn a way that achieves a result, or in practical effect.electiveChosen voluntarily rather than required.exclusiveLimited to particular people or a particular source.executiveA person or body responsible for managing and carrying out decisions.expletiveA swearword or profane expression.extensiveLarge in amount, area, or scope.festiveSuited to or expressing joyful celebration.figurativeExpressing meaning beyond the literal sense of words.figurativeDepicting recognizable people or objects rather than abstract shapes.furtiveDone in secret to avoid being noticed.imaginativeShowing creativity or inventiveness.impulsiveActing on a sudden urge without thinking first.incentiveSomething that encourages action.incisiveSharp enough to cut cleanly through something.inclusiveIncluding everyone or everything within the scope being considered.indicativeServing as a sign of something.inductiveDrawing general conclusions from specific observations.infinitiveA basic verb form that does not show tense, often used with “to” in English.inquisitiveCurious and eager to learn, sometimes about others' private affairs.intensiveConcentrating substantial effort within a limited scope or period.interpretativeExplaining or expressing the meaning of something.interrogativeExpressing or used to ask a question.intransitiveA verb that does not take a direct object, or describing such a verb.intuitiveBased on immediate understanding rather than conscious reasoning.invasiveSpreading or intruding where unwanted.invectiveInsulting, abusive, or sharply critical language.laxativeA substance that helps produce bowel movements, or having this effect.lucrativeProducing a large profit or financial reward.missiveA letter or other written message.motifA distinctive design or element used in a work of art.motiveMaking something move or act.motiveA reason for doing something.narrativeAn account that connects events into an understandable story.nativeOriginating or belonging naturally in a particular place.nominativeThe grammatical case used for the subject of a sentence.nutritiveProviding or relating to nourishment.offensiveCausing anger, hurt, or disgust.operativeA person who works secretly for an organization.operativeIn operation or having practical effect.oppressiveImposing a harsh and burdensome restriction.palliativeRelieving symptoms or discomfort without resolving the underlying cause.passiveReceiving or allowing action rather than actively performing it.permissiveAllowing freedom rather than imposing strict limits.perspectiveA way of understanding something in relation to its context or importance.persuasiveAble or intended to convince someone to believe or do something.positiveFavorable or encouraging in attitude or effect.positiveHaving electric charge opposite to that of an electron.positiveStated clearly and without uncertainty.positiveIndicating that a tested condition or substance is present.positiveGreater than zero.positiveA photographic image with light and dark areas matching the original scene.possessiveWanting excessive control over someone or that person's attention.possessiveA grammatical form showing ownership or association.predictiveUsed to predict what is likely to happen or come next.prescriptiveLaying down an authoritative requirement for action.presumptiveBased on reasonable expectation rather than certainty.primitiveShowing an early or minimally developed form.productiveAble to generate results or output.prohibitivePreventing an action from being undertaken.prospectiveExpected or likely to happen or become something in the future.provocativeLikely to excite a strong response.punitiveIntended to punish or harsh enough to act as punishment.purgativeA substance that empties the bowels.putativeGenerally believed or claimed to be so, but not proven.qualitativeDescribing qualities or characteristics rather than numerical amounts.quantitativeRelating to amounts measured or expressed in numbers.receptiveReady to receive or accept something offered.reductiveMaking something too simple by ignoring its complexity.relativeA word that introduces a clause and refers back to something already mentioned.relativeA person connected to someone by family ties.relativeConsidered in comparison with something else rather than on its own.relativelyIn comparison with something else.repressiveRestricting freedom or holding back normal activity.repulsiveHaving a tendency to drive something away.respectiveBelonging separately to each person or thing mentioned.responsiveQuick to react or adapt appropriately to a stimulus or need.restrictiveLimiting the range of what is possible or included.retentiveTending to hold what is taken in.sedativeA drug that calms or induces sleep, or having this effect.sensitiveReadily responsive to small influences.subjectiveBased on or existing within a person's own feelings or perspective.subjunctiveA verb mood presenting a situation as imagined or desired rather than as an asserted fact.substantiveHaving real importance, content, or practical effect.substantiveA noun or an expression functioning as a noun.successiveFollowing one after another in sequence.superlativeRepresenting the highest degree of a quality.tentativeProvisional rather than confidently settled.transitiveDescribing a verb that takes a direct object.vegetativeRelating to plant growth through stems, roots, or leaves.vegetativeInvolving basic bodily functions without conscious activity.votiveAn offering made in fulfillment of a vow or as an expression of religious devotion.