dative

/ˈdeɪtɪv/

//ˈdeɪtɪv// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"dative" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“dative” is uncommon English (frequency #57,323 among 26,416 “D” headwords), classed as an adjective. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#57,323
frequency rank, English
26,416
“D” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.

Key facts for dative
PropertyValue
Headworddative
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈdeɪtɪv/
Letters6
Frequency rank#57,323
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “dative” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). dative lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

dative is uncommon English at frequency #57,323 among 26,416 “D” headwords, classed as anadjective, transcribed /ˈdeɪtɪv/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 6 senses are on record.

No misspelling variants are generated for dative in our index, since its letter pattern doesn't lend itself to common typo substitutions. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Latin datīvus (“appropriate for giving”), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“to give”)) + -īvus (“-ive”). The correct English form is dative, spelled D-A-T-I-V-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
  2. 2
    In one’s gift; capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an office or other privilege.
  3. 3
    Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; — said of an officer.
  4. 4
    Given by a judge, as distinguished from being cast upon a party by the law itself.
  5. 5
    Formed by two electrons contributed by one atom; see dative bond.
  6. 6
    Given in advance; not needed to be calculated.

Etymology

From Latin datīvus (“appropriate for giving”), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“to give”)) + -īvus (“-ive”).

This word in other languages

dativo(Español)datif(Français)Dativ-(Deutsch)dativo(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "dative"?
"dative" is spelled D-A-T-I-V-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈdeɪtɪv/.
What does "dative" mean?
As an adjective, "dative" means: Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
How do you pronounce "dative"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "dative" is /ˈdeɪtɪv/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "dative"?
From Latin datīvus (“appropriate for giving”), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“to give”)) + -īvus (“-ive”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “dative”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-A-T-I-V-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈdeɪtɪv/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list