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

INDICATIVELY 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.>