Vocabulary Entry

vocative

|noun • adjective

noun

A grammatical case used to address or call someone directly.

Example Sentences

"In the sentence 'O Mary, please come here,' 'Mary' is in the vocative case."

"Languages like Latin and Greek have distinct vocative cases for direct address."

"In English, we often use names in the vocative case when speaking directly to someone."

adjective

Example Sentences

"The vocative form of a word is often used when directly addressing someone."

"In her speech, she used vocative phrases to engage her audience personally."

"The vocative tone in his voice conveyed urgency and familiarity."