de·mon·stra·tive
di-ˈmän(t)-strə-tiv 
1
a
: demonstrating as real or true
b
: characterized or established by demonstration
2
grammar
: pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class (as in that in "that house")
demonstrative pronouns
demonstrative adjectives
3
a
: marked by display of feeling
made a demonstrative gesture
b
: inclined to display feelings openly
a demonstrative preacher
demonstratively
adverb
demonstrativeness
noun
grammar
: a word or morpheme pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class : a demonstrative (see demonstrative entry 1 sense 2) word or morpheme
the demonstratives "this," "that," "these," and "those"
Synonyms
Examples of demonstrative in a Sentence
Adjective
In the phrase “this is my hat,” the word “this” is a demonstrative pronoun.
In the phrase “give me that book,” the word “that” is a demonstrative adjective.
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2024
Sometimes behind the physically demonstrative effort of performance there lies a gentle soul.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for demonstrative 
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Adjective
That'd be the cruise control system, which will get you home from a long day on the road with about 60% less swearing and moaning on the final freeway stretch, accompanied by a corresponding increase in demonstrative gloating if your riding buddies don't have it on their bikes too.
—New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2024
Sometimes behind the physically demonstrative effort of performance there lies a gentle soul.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Noun
Johnny and Ponyboy are also unusually physical demonstrative.
—Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for demonstrative
Dictionary Entries Near demonstrative
Cite this Entry
“Demonstrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstrative. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demonstrative
1 of 2 adjective
de·mon·stra·tive
di-ˈmän(t)-strət-iv
1
: characterized or established by demonstration
demonstrative reasoning
2
: indicating the one referred to and pointing it out from others of the same kind
the demonstrative pronoun "this" in "this is my hat"
the demonstrative adjective "that" in "that book"
3
: showing feeling freely
a demonstrative greeting
demonstratively
adverb
demonstrative
2 of 2 noun
: a demonstrative word
especially
: a demonstrative pronoun
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