intransitive verb

noun
1.
a verb that indicates a complete action without being accompanied by a direct object, as sit or lie, and, in English, that does not form a passive.
Origin
1605-15
Examples from the web for intransitive verb
  • Ninety-six children were introduced to two nonce verbs, one as a transitive verb and one as an intransitive verb.
intransitive verb in Culture

intransitive verb definition


A verb that does not need a direct object to complete its meaning. Run, sleep, travel, wonder, and die are all intransitive verbs. (Compare transitive verb.)

Note: Some verbs can be intransitive in one sentence and transitive in another. Boiled is intransitive in “My blood boiled” but transitive in “I boiled some water.”