# derive

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈɹaɪv/ · frequency rank #14,737

## Definitions
1. To obtain or receive (something) from something else.
2. To deduce (a conclusion) by reasoning.
3. To find the derivation of (a word or phrase).
4. To create (a compound) from another by means of a reaction.
5. To originate or stem (from).
6. To turn the course of (water, etc.); to divert and distribute into subordinate channels.
7. To differentiate (a function).

## Etymology
From Middle English deriven, from Old French deriver, from Latin dērīvō (“to lead, turn, or draw off (a liquid), draw off, derive”), from dē (“away”) + rīvus (“a stream”); see rival. Unrelated to arrive.

## Easily confused with
- **dive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-dive)
- **drive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-drive)
- **drove** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-drove)
- **driver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-driver)
- **device** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-device)
- **desire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-desire)
- **driven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-driven)
- **drives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-drives)
- **devise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-devise)
- **Devine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-devine)
- **drivel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-drivel)
- **derived** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/derive-vs-derived)
- **delve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/delve-vs-derive)
- **decide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decide-vs-derive)
- **define** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-derive)
- **demise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/demise-vs-derive)
- **Denise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/denise-vs-derive)
- **defile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defile-vs-derive)
- **deliver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deliver-vs-derive)
- **deceive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deceive-vs-derive)

## Common misspellings (8)
`dderive`, `deirve`, `deriev`, `derivve`, `derrive`, `dervie`, `dreive`, `edrive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/derive