indicative

1 of 2

adjective

in·​dic·​a·​tive in-ˈdi-kə-tiv 

1

: serving to indicate

actions indicative of fear

2

: 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

indicatively adverb

indicative

2 of 2

noun

1

: the indicative mood of a language

2

: a form in the indicative mood

Synonyms

Adjective

• denotative
• denoting
• reflective
• significant
• signifying
• telltale

Examples of indicative in a Sentence

Adjective

In “I walked to school,” the verb walked is in the indicative mood.

a wide-eyed look that is indicative of his constant curiosity

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Israel’s citizens were not protected on Oct. 7, 2023, despite what seems to have been indicative prior warning of that appalling Hamas attack. —Richard English, TIME, 17 May 2024

Popular on Variety The film’s bland English-language title is already indicative of how vulnerable Fillières’ writing is to translation. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing indicative

• the indicative

Kids Definition

indicative

1 of 2 adjective

in·​dic·​a·​tive in-ˈdik-ət-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or being the grammatical mood that represents an act or state as a fact that can be known or proved

in "I am here," the verb "am" is in the indicative mood

2

: indicating something

remarks indicative of jealousy

indicatively adverb

indicative

2 of 2 noun

: the indicative mood of a verb or a verb in this mood