demonstrative

[ duh-mon-struh-tiv ]

adjective

1. characterized by or given to open exhibition or expression of one's emotions, attitudes, etc., especially of love or affection:

   She wished her fiancé were more demonstrative.

2. serving to demonstrate; explanatory or illustrative.
3. serving to prove the truth of anything; indubitably conclusive.
4. Grammar. indicating or singling out the thing referred to. This is a demonstrative pronoun.

noun

1. Grammar. a demonstrative word, as this or there.

demonstrative

/ dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv /

adjective

1. tending to manifest or express one's feelings easily or unreservedly
2. postpositivefoll byof serving as proof; indicative
3. involving or characterized by demonstration

   a demonstrative lecture

4. conclusive; indubitable

   demonstrative arguments

5. grammar denoting or belonging to a class of determiners used to point out the individual referent or referents intended, such as this, that, these, and those Compare interrogative relative

noun

1. grammar a demonstrative word or construction

Derived Forms

• deˈmonstratively, adverb
• deˈmonstrativeness, noun

Other Words From

• de·monstra·tive·ly adverb
• de·monstra·tive·ness noun
• nonde·monstra·tive adjective
• nonde·monstra·tive·ly adverb
• nonde·monstra·tive·ness noun
• prede·monstra·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstrative¹

1350–1400; Middle English demonstratif (< Middle French ) < Latin dēmonstrātīvus, equivalent to dēmonstrāt ( us ) ( demonstrate ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Harris described Trump’s response as demonstrative of the Republican’s core values.

From Los Angeles Times

But while the attack was more than purely demonstrative, it did not appear to signal Iran’s desire for an all-out fight.

From BBC

The demonstrative 22-year-old Korean made clear his displeasure at being asked to hole a short putt he felt should have been given.

From BBC

Or that he celebrated with a demonstrative two-hand bat flip, displaying as much emotion as manager Dave Roberts could remember since his iconic long ball in the 2020 National League Championship Series.

From Los Angeles Times

Sadly, the racist framing of hardworking Haitian immigrants seeking hope for their families in Springfield by politicians Trump and Vance is dramatically demonstrative of the deep systemic white racism persisting in this society.

From Salon

Related Words

• candid
• effusive
• outspoken