suggestive

adjective

sug·​ges·​tive səg-ˈje-stiv 

sə-ˈje-

1

a

: giving a suggestion : indicative

suggestive of a past era

b

: full of suggestions : stimulating thought

provided a suggestive … commentary on the era

—Lloyd Morris

c

: stirring mental associations : evocative

2

: suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or indecent : risqué

suggestively adverb

suggestiveness noun

Synonyms

• bawdy
• blue
• gamy
• gamey
• lewd
• off
• off-color
• off-colored
• racy
• ribald
• risqué
• salty
• spicy

Examples of suggestive in a Sentence

making unwelcome suggestive remarks to a subordinate will be regarded as sexual harassment

a haunting and suggestive song about a long-lost love

Recent Examples on the Web

If last year’s enthusiasm for alcopop-reds were suggestive of adrenaline, fireworks, danger, and rage, this season’s full-bodied evolution speaks more to elegance, class, occasion, and perhaps even indulgence. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024

In the final version of the police report, the description of Navalny's symptoms as described in the initial report -- all strongly suggestive of a possible poisoning -- had been left out, according to The Insider. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024

Some of the changes include: Changes to our models for minors (under the age of 18) that are designed to reduce the likelihood of encountering sensitive or suggestive content. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2024

Detecting amino acids, which are building blocks of life, would be a significant discovery, particularly if scientists see a pattern in the amino acids suggestive of a biological origin. —Joel Achenbach, arkansasonline.com, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

suggestive

adjective

sug·​ges·​tive sə(g)-ˈjes-tiv 

1

a

: giving a suggestion : indicative

suggestive of a past era

b

: full of suggestions : stimulating thought

c

: stirring mental associations

2

: suggesting something improper or indecent

suggestively adverb

suggestiveness noun

Medical Definition

suggestive

adjective

sug·​ges·​tive sə(g)-ˈjes-tiv 

1

: serving to indicate

a butterfly-shaped red rash … is highly suggestive of the disease

—S. E. Goldfinger et al.

2

: tending to act like or have the effect of suggestion

Legal Definition

suggestive

adjective

sug·​ges·​tive

: giving a suggestion or making a hint: as

a

: being a trademark, trade dress, trade name, or service mark that requires the consumer to use thought and imagination to perceive the nature of the product or service

Note: Suggestive marks are entitled to trademark protection without proof of secondary meaning.

b

: relating to or being a lineup that in some way suggests to the witness which member of the lineup is in fact the defendant