descriptive

[ dih-skrip-tiv ]

adjective

1. having the quality of describing; characterized by description:

   a descriptive passage in an essay.

2. Grammar.
   1. (of an adjective or other modifier) expressing a quality of the word it modifies, as fresh in fresh milk. Compare limiting ( def 2 ).
   2. (of a clause) nonrestrictive. Compare restrictive ( def 4 ).
3. noting, concerned with, or based upon the fact or experience.
4. characterized by or based upon the classification and description of material in a given field:

   descriptive botany.

descriptive

/ dɪˈskrɪptɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by or containing description; serving to describe
2. grammar (of an adjective) serving to describe the referent of the noun modified, as for example the adjective brown as contrasted with my and former
3. relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescription

   descriptive linguistics

Derived Forms

• deˈscriptiveness, noun
• deˈscriptively, adverb

Other Words From

• de·scriptive·ly adverb
• de·scriptive·ness noun
• nonde·scriptive adjective
• nonde·scriptive·ly adverb
• nonde·scriptive·ness noun
• over·de·scriptive adjective
• over·de·scriptive·ly adverb
• over·de·scriptive·ness noun
• self-de·scriptive adjective
• unde·scriptive adjective
• unde·scriptive·ly adverb
• unde·scriptive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of descriptive¹

1745–55; < Late Latin dēscrīptīvus, equivalent to Latin dēscrīpt ( us ) ( description ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

When praising women for embodying the qualities of men, beards were interchangeable with other male body parts as descriptive devices, even if such women did not actually possess them.

From Salon

She criticized Smith for creating a speaking indictment, i.e., an overly descriptive charging document, that included “various nonessential allegations more akin to a narrative about the government’s theory of prosecution.”

From Slate

Jing Gao, chief executive of a competing company, Fly by Jing, publicly condemned Chang’s actions in a newsletter, arguing, rightfully, that Chang had tried to trademark “a descriptive term for a cultural product, one that has existed in Chinese cuisine for hundreds of years.”

From Los Angeles Times

The high court’s unanimous decision upheld a lower court ruling that the ballot measure does not have an unfunded mandate and is descriptive enough to inform voters of its effect.

From Seattle Times

"Our findings parallel with other descriptive research showing that children's mental health plummeted during the pandemic."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• definitive
• detailed
• eloquent
• expressive
• identifying
• illuminating
• pictorial
• revealing
• vivid