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
Now there are 2,234 instances, and counting, of the term being used as a descriptive tag on Steam, the PC gaming marketplace.
—
Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
The offseason is the time for the best descriptive stats — how a player actually performed in the prior season beyond rote fantasy numbers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Isbell’s authoritative vocal performance also highlighted his savvy wordplay and observations, tools that reinforced his music’s tight links with descriptive language and honest perspective.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
For each possible step of the operation — for example, lymph node removal, tying off veins, or cutting through the urethra — the researchers pre-wrote descriptive text.
—Nancy Lapid, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for descriptive 
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Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
The offseason is the time for the best descriptive stats — how a player actually performed in the prior season beyond rote fantasy numbers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Isbell’s authoritative vocal performance also highlighted his savvy wordplay and observations, tools that reinforced his music’s tight links with descriptive language and honest perspective.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
For each possible step of the operation — for example, lymph node removal, tying off veins, or cutting through the urethra — the researchers pre-wrote descriptive text.
—Nancy Lapid, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for descriptive
Articles Related to descriptive
Words for Dictionary Supernerds
As with all specialized fields, those involved in dictionary making employ terms in their work that most other people never encounter. If you’re a dictionary supernerd, you might be interested to know them.
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 25 Feb. 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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