descriptive

[ dih-skrip-tiv ]
/ dɪˈskrɪp tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR descriptive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the quality of describing; characterized by description: a descriptive passage in an essay.
Grammar.
  1. (of an adjective or other modifier) expressing a quality of the word it modifies, as fresh in fresh milk.Compare limiting(def 2).
  2. (of a clause) nonrestrictive.Compare restrictive(def 4).
noting, concerned with, or based upon the fact or experience.
characterized by or based upon the classification and description of material in a given field: descriptive botany.

Origin of descriptive

1745–55; < Late Latin dēscrīptīvus, equivalent to Latin dēscrīpt(us) (see description) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM descriptive

Words nearby descriptive

descloizite, descramble, descrambler, describe, description, descriptive, descriptive bibliography, descriptive cataloging, descriptive clause, descriptive geometry, descriptive grammar

Words related to descriptive

detailed, vivid, eloquent, illuminating, pictorial, expressive, definitive, revealing, characteristic, circumstantial, clear, expository, extended, graphic, illustrative, indicative, lifelike, narrative, picturesque, specific

Example sentences from the Web for descriptive

British Dictionary definitions for descriptive

descriptive
/ (dɪˈskrɪptɪv) /

adjective

characterized by or containing description; serving to describe
grammar (of an adjective) serving to describe the referent of the noun modified, as for example the adjective brown as contrasted with my and former
relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescription descriptive linguistics

Derived forms of descriptive

descriptively, adverb descriptiveness, noun