derive
/dɪˈraɪv/- 1.
To get or obtain something from a source. The thing you receive usually comes naturally or logically from that source.
- She derives great satisfaction from helping others.
- The company derives most of its income from exports.
- He derives comfort from listening to music.
- 2.
To trace the origin of a word or idea back to a source, such as another language or an earlier form.
- The word 'biology' derives from Greek roots.
- Many English legal terms derive from Latin.
- 3.
In mathematics or logic, to reach a result or formula by working through a series of logical steps.
- The students were asked to derive the equation from first principles.
- We can derive this conclusion from the data collected.
Adinary Nuance
Derive is the formal, academic choice when you want to say something comes from a source — but it isn't the only option. Obtain and get are simpler and work in everyday speech ("I got this idea from her"), while derive signals a deeper, more natural connection between the source and the result. Extract is close, but it implies pulling something out physically or mechanically (extract oil, extract data), whereas derive is more conceptual and intellectual. Draw from is perhaps the nearest informal match ("she draws strength from her family"), but it still sounds less polished than derive in written academic English. In IELTS and academic essays, choosing derive over get or take from immediately raises the register of your writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Rút ra / Xuất phát từ
- Spanish
- Derivar / Obtener
- Chinese
- 源自 / 获得
- Japanese
- 由来する / 導き出す
- Korean
- 유래하다 / 얻다
Etymology
From Latin "derivare," meaning "to lead or draw off water from a river," built from "de-" (from, away) and "rivus" (stream). The word entered English in the 15th century through Old French "deriver," and its core image of drawing something from a flowing source still shapes its meaning today.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'derive' a formal word?
- Yes, 'derive' is more formal than everyday words like 'get' or 'take from.' It is very common in academic writing, IELTS essays, and professional texts, but sounds a little stiff in casual spoken conversation.
- What is the difference between 'derive' and 'obtain'?
- 'Obtain' simply means to get something, often through effort ('she obtained a visa'). 'Derive' suggests the thing flows naturally from a source ('she derives confidence from experience'). Use 'derive' when you want to show a logical or natural connection between the source and the result.
- Can 'derive' describe both word origins and personal feelings?
- Yes! 'Derive' works in both contexts. You can say 'the word derives from Latin' (tracing its origin) and also 'I derive joy from cooking' (getting a feeling from an activity). Both uses are standard and correct.
- How do I use 'derive' correctly in an IELTS essay?
- Pair 'derive' with abstract nouns: derive benefit, derive satisfaction, derive value. The structure is usually 'derive [noun] from [source]' — for example, 'students derive motivation from meaningful feedback.' This pattern is natural and high-scoring in academic writing.