Dictionary
descriptive
adjective de·scrip·tive \di-ˈskrip-tiv\
: giving information about how something or someone looks, sounds, etc. : using words to describe what something or someone is like
: providing facts about how a language is actually used rather than rules that tell people how it should be used
Full Definition of DESCRIPTIVE
1
: serving to describe <a descriptive account>
2
a : referring to, constituting, or grounded in matters of observation or experience <the descriptive basis of science> b : factually grounded or informative rather than normative, prescriptive, or emotive <descriptive cultural studies>
3
of a modifier a : expressing the quality, kind, or condition of what is denoted by the modified term <hot in “hot water” is a descriptive adjective> b : nonrestrictive
4
: of, relating to, or dealing with the structure of a language at a particular time usually with exclusion of historical and comparative data <descriptive linguistics>
— de·scrip·tive·ly adverb
— de·scrip·tive·ness noun
See descriptive defined for English-language learners
See descriptive defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of DESCRIPTIVE
1723
Rhymes with DESCRIPTIVE
DESCRIPTIVENESS Defined for Kids
descriptive
adjective de·scrip·tive \di-ˈskrip-tiv\
Definition of DESCRIPTIVE for Kids
: giving information about what something is like <She wrote a very descriptive letter about her trip.>
Learn More About DESCRIPTIVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: descriptive anatomyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: descriptio personaeAll Words Near: descriptive
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up descriptive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).