descriptive
adjective
de·scrip·tive
di-ˈskrip-tiv 
1
: presenting observations about the characteristics of someone or something : 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
4
linguistics
: 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
descriptively
adverb
descriptiveness
noun
Examples of descriptive in a Sentence
She gave a descriptive account of the journey.
a talent for descriptive writing
a poem full of descriptive detail
The black cat was given the descriptive name “Midnight.”
The book is a descriptive grammar.
Recent Examples on the Web
To help with this, brands can use: • Image optimization: Label images with descriptive alt text to enhance their discoverability in visual search.
—
Al Sefati, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The book, Legacy of Lies, El Salvador 1981-1984, illustrates with black-and-white photographs and descriptive personal essays how U.S. foreign policy played out and fueled a violent 13-year civil war in El Salvador.
—Robert Nickelsberg, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
Provide descriptive button language to clarify the next steps and proactively update them on their progress.
—Forrester, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Conversations that are similar are then grouped together by theme or topic, and each cluster receives a new descriptive title and summary.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descriptive 
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Al Sefati, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The book, Legacy of Lies, El Salvador 1981-1984, illustrates with black-and-white photographs and descriptive personal essays how U.S. foreign policy played out and fueled a violent 13-year civil war in El Salvador.
—Robert Nickelsberg, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024
Provide descriptive button language to clarify the next steps and proactively update them on their progress.
—Forrester, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Conversations that are similar are then grouped together by theme or topic, and each cluster receives a new descriptive title and summary.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descriptive
Articles Related to descriptive
Words for Dictionary Supernerds
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A Word on 'Descriptive' and...
When it comes to words, we're the descriptive sort.
Dictionary Entries Near descriptive
Cite this Entry
“Descriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descriptive. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
descriptive
adjective
de·scrip·tive
di-ˈskrip-tiv
: serving to describe
a descriptive account
a descriptive adjective
descriptively
adverb
descriptiveness
noun
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