¹indicative

adjective in·dic·a·tive \in-ˈdi-kə-tiv\

: showing something : indicating something

grammar : of or relating to the verb form that is used to state a fact that can be known or proved

Full Definition of INDICATIVE

: of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the denoted act or state as an objective fact <the indicative mood>

: serving to indicate <actions indicative of fear>

— in·dic·a·tive·ly adverb

See indicative defined for English-language learners

See indicative defined for kids

First Known Use of INDICATIVE

15th century

Related to INDICATIVE

Synonyms: denotative, denoting, reflective, significant, signifying, telltale

Rhymes with INDICATIVE

affricative, explicative, vindicative

²indicative

noun

Definition of INDICATIVE

: the indicative mood of a language

: a form in the indicative mood

See indicative defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of INDICATIVE

1530

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

INDICATIVE[1] Defined for Kids

indicative

adjective in·dic·a·tive \in-ˈdi-kə-tiv\

Definition of INDICATIVE for Kids

: pointing out or showing something <Fever is indicative of illness.>

: of or relating to the verb form that is used to state a fact that can be known or proved <In “I am here,” the verb “am” is in the indicative mood.>