Meaning & use

distributive

adjective·Advanced

Relating to distribution or division among a number of people or things, especially in grammar or mathematics.

See it in a sentence

In grammar, words like each and every are called distributive pronouns because they refer to individual members of a group.

The distributive property lets you multiply a sum by breaking it into separate parts.

A note on using this word

Distributive carries distinct technical senses across grammar, mathematics, and economics, so its meaning depends heavily on context.

Words with a similar meaning

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