descriptive
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Related to descriptiveness: fanciful
de·scrip·tive
(dĭ-skrĭp′tĭv)adj.
1. Involving or characterized by description; serving to describe.
2. Concerned with classification or description: a descriptive science.
3. Grammar
a. Expressing an attribute of the modified noun, as green in green grass. Used of an adjective or adjectival clause.
b. Nonrestrictive.
4. Linguistics Of or relating to the study or the description of a language or a specific stage of a language, with emphasis on constructing a grammar without regard to historical development, comparison with other languages, or advocated norms for correct or proper usage.
de·scrip′tive·ly adv.
de·scrip′tive·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
descriptive
(dɪˈskrɪptɪv)adj
1. characterized by or containing description; serving to describe
2. (Grammar) 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
3. relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescription: descriptive linguistics.
deˈscriptively adv
deˈscriptiveness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•scrip•tive
(dɪˈskrɪp tɪv)adj.
1. serving to describe; characterized by description: a descriptive passage in an essay.
2.
a. (of an adjective or other modifier) expressing a quality of the word it modifies, as fresh in fresh milk. Compare limiting (def. 2).
b. nonrestrictive: a descriptive clause.
3. noting, concerned with, or based upon experience or observation.
4. characterized by or based upon the classification and description of material in a given field: descriptive botany.
5. based on or concerned with the actual usage of speakers of a language without reference to norms of correctness or advocacy of rules based on such norms: descriptive grammar.
[1745–55; < Late Latin]
de•scrip′tive•ly, adv.
de•scrip′tive•ness, n.
de•scrip′tiv•ist, n., adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Adj. | 1. | descriptive - serving to describe or inform or characterized by description; "the descriptive variable"; "a descriptive passage" undescriptive - not successful in describing |
2. | descriptive - describing the structure of a language; "descriptive grammar" grammar - the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics) prescriptive, normative - pertaining to giving directives or rules; "prescriptive grammar is concerned with norms of or rules for correct usage" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
descriptive
adjective graphic, vivid, expressive, picturesque, detailed, explanatory, pictorial, illustrative, depictive The group adopted a simpler, more descriptive title.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
descriptive
adjectiveServing to describe:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
descriptive
[dɪˈskrɪptɪv] adj → descriptif/iveCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
descriptive
adj
→ beschreibend; account, adjective, passage → anschaulich; descriptive writing → Beschreibung f; his descriptive powers → sein Talent zur Beschreibung; to be descriptive of something → etw beschreiben
linguistics, science etc → deskriptiv
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
descriptive
[dɪsˈkrɪptɪv] adj → descrittivo/aCollins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995