1. relating to or being a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning
Usage: grammar
2. having the property that if A relates to B and B relates to C, then A relates to C
Usage: mathematics; logic

Examples

• The verb ‘eat’ is transitive because it needs a direct object.
• In ‘She bought a car,’ the verb ‘bought’ is transitive.
• Intransitive verbs like ‘sleep’ don’t take direct objects, unlike transitive verbs.
• The relation ‘greater than’ is transitive in mathematics.
• If A is taller than B and B is taller than C, then A is taller than C – this shows transitivity.
• Students must learn to identify transitive and intransitive verbs.