instructive

[ in-struhk-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to instruct or inform; conveying instruction, knowledge, or information; enlightening.
2. Grammar. noting a case, as in Finnish, whose distinctive function is to indicate means by which.

instructive

/ ɪnˈstrʌktɪv /

adjective

1. serving to instruct or enlighten; conveying information

Derived Forms

• inˈstructively, adverb
• inˈstructiveness, noun

Other Words From

• in·structive·ly adverb
• in·structive·ness noun
• nonin·structive adjective
• nonin·structive·ly adverb
• nonin·structive·ness noun
• over·in·structive adjective
• over·in·structive·ly adverb
• over·in·structive·ness noun
• unin·structive adjective
• unin·structive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of instructive¹

First recorded in 1605–15; instruct + -ive

Example Sentences

Watching him dealing with his team against City from my very high vantage point on the seventh floor of the main stand was quite instructive.

From BBC

The Muslim ban that sent throngs running to the airports to protest, days into Trump’s term, is actually an instructive example of how this kind of negative energy eventually burns out.

From Slate

It may be a more instructive parable than he realizes, because Jeffress has been doing everything he can to return to that office ever since.

From Salon

“Even though, at the time, we tend to say, ‘This is so bad and is going to have so much impact and is going to be instructive going forward,’ the reality is that oftentimes it is shoved into the back corners of our minds and doesn’t command much attention,” Dehner told Salon in a phone interview.

From Salon

The Ontological-Hysteric Theater is, of course, the name of Foreman’s experimental company, and it’s instructive to consider the two words in proximity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enlightening
• helpful
• illuminating
• useful