Indicative Meaning and Definition
Indicative
Pronunciation
/ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A sign, symptom, or indication that signals the presence or likelihood of something, often a problem or issue.
Examples
- The patient experienced a number of indicative symptoms that led to a diagnosis of the disease.
- The company’s financial struggles served as an indicative of the industry’s decline.
Synonyms
- Sign
- Symptom
- Indicator
Antonyms
- Suppressor
- Mask
Additional Information
In many cases, indicative signs or symptoms are a crucial early warning system for detecting potential problems. This can be particularly important in fields such as medicine, where timely intervention can greatly improve outcomes. In a broader sense, indicative can also refer to something that serves as a gauge or proxy for something else, such as economic indicators used to forecast market trends.
Indicative is often used in scientific and technical contexts to describe a phenomenon or measurement that indicates the presence of a particular process or condition. In language, indicative can also refer to a grammatical mood or aspect that suggests the presence of certain conditions or circumstances.
Etymology
The word “indicative” comes from the Latin “indicativus,” which is derived from “indicare,” meaning “to show” or “to indicate.”
Usage Notes
Indicative is often used in formal or technical writing, but it can also be found in everyday language. However, it’s essential to use it correctly to avoid confusion or miscommunication. For example, one might say “The patient’s fever was an indicative of the infection,” rather than “The patient’s fever was an indication of the infection.”
Cultural References
The word “indicative” has been used in various cultural references, including literature, music, and film. For example, in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the protagonist Jay Gatsby is described as having an “indicative” smile.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Indicative is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “indicative of a greater issue” or “an indicative of a trend.”
Related Words or Phrases
Other words or phrases that are closely related to “indicative” include “sign,” “symptom,” “indicator,” and “gauge.”
Collocations
Common word combinations with “indicative” include “indicative of,” “indicative for,” and “indicative that.”
Frequency of Use
According to various sources, including the Oxford English Corpus, “indicative” is used relatively frequently in modern language, particularly in formal or technical writing.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “indicative” include “indicater,” “indicatory,” and “indicatve.”