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
According to the lawsuit, the first suspension came after employees reported 11 inappropriate statements D’Souza allegedly made to subordinates, some using race as a descriptive term.
—
Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024
Vehicle names don’t come much more descriptive than the Biturbo.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
My medical invoices had descriptive line items and when placed next to photos of the mouldy air-conditioning units, told a plain story of cause and effect.
—Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Not just a viscerally moving story or a triumph of descriptive writing, this also happens to be a feel-good romance.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descriptive 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024
Vehicle names don’t come much more descriptive than the Biturbo.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
My medical invoices had descriptive line items and when placed next to photos of the mouldy air-conditioning units, told a plain story of cause and effect.
—Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Not just a viscerally moving story or a triumph of descriptive writing, this also happens to be a feel-good romance.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
descriptive
adjective
de·scrip·tive
di-ˈskrip-tiv
: serving to describe
a descriptive account
a descriptive adjective
descriptively
adverb
descriptiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share