talkative
UK: ˈtɔːkətɪv | US: ˈtɔːkədɪv
adj. tending to talk a lot or freely
adj. characterized by or full of talk
talkative = talk<to speak> + ative<adjective suffix, tendency>
- talk: From Old English tacan (to speak), derived from Proto-Germanic talkōną. Retains its core meaning of verbal communication.
- ative: A suffix borrowed from Latin -ativus, indicating a tendency or capacity (e.g., communicative, informative).
Etymology Origin:
The word talkative emerged in Middle English (14th century) by combining the native Germanic root talk with the Latin-derived suffix -ative. This hybrid structure reflects English’s tendency to blend Germanic and Latinate elements. The suffix -ative subtly shifts the meaning from the action of talking (talk) to a habitual inclination (talkative), illustrating how affixes can transform verbs into descriptive adjectives.
She’s so talkative that she can chat for hours without pause.
The talkative parrot mimicked every word it heard.
His talkative nature made him a great podcast host.
The meeting was delayed by a talkative attendee.
Children often become more talkative when excited.