What does volitive mean?
Volitive is a formal adjective relating to the exercise or expression of will. Its best-known use is grammatical: a volitive mood or form expresses a wish, desire, intention, or command rather than a straightforward statement of fact. In psychology, philosophy, and related fields, volitive language can also refer more generally to the capacity to choose or exercise will. The word should not be confused with voluntary, which usually describes an action undertaken by choice, or volitional, which more broadly concerns the mental process of willing. Although volitive can sound old-fashioned or academic, it is useful when precision matters: it distinguishes intention and desire from simple description. In ordinary conversation, speakers more often use wanting, wishing, willing, or intended. Recognizing volitive is especially valuable in grammar and in texts that describe how languages encode determination, preference, and desire.
adjectiveHaving or expressing will; in grammar, used of a mood or verb form that expresses a wish, desire, or intention.
- Expressing or pertaining to the will or intention, especially a grammatical mood used to express a wish, desire, or command.
- Having the capacity to make choices or exercise will.
"In the volitive mood, the speaker expresses a wish rather than stating a fact."
"In the volitive mood, the speaker expresses a wish rather than stating a fact."
"The psychologist studied the patient's impaired volitive faculty."
When ordinary language says “I want that,” grammar reaches for the volitive—the language of will and wish.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of volitive
Volitive ultimately comes from Latin volere, meaning “to wish” or “to will,” through the Latin adjective volitivus, meaning “pertaining to willing.” English took the word into early modern scientific and grammatical usage. The same root produced volition and voluntary, while the Latin combining element bene (“well”) contributed to the cognate benevolent.
Related word forms
How volitive is actually used
This is a formal and comparatively uncommon word. It is especially associated with grammatical terminology and with specialist discussions of will, choice, and mental activity.
Easily confused with volitive
Volitive often describes the expression or exercise of will, especially in grammar, whereas voluntary more commonly describes an action performed by choice.
Volitional refers broadly to the mental act or capacity of willing, while volitive is especially used for grammatical forms expressing a wish or intention.