prescriptive

American  

[pri-skrip-tiv] / prɪˈskrɪp tɪv /

adjective

1. that prescribes; giving directions or injunctions.

   a prescriptive letter from an anxious father.

2. depending on or arising from effective legal prescription, as a right or title established by a long unchallenged tenure.

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prescriptive British  

/ prɪˈskrɪptɪv /

adjective

1. making or giving directions, rules, or injunctions

2. sanctioned by long-standing usage or custom

3. derived from or based upon legal prescription

   a prescriptive title

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Other Word Forms

• nonprescriptive adjective
• prescriptively adverb
• prescriptiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of prescriptive

First recorded in 1740–50; prescript + -ive, modeled on descriptive, destructive, etc.

Example Sentences

The process is prescriptive, but the effect is liberating.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

In its place: a more prescriptive framework that explicitly warns against the health risk of ultra-processed foods, and calls for Americans to eat more protein, embrace saturated fat, and cut back on carbohydrates.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Asked about the market’s rate-hike expectations, Macklem said he isn’t going to put rate policy on a prescriptive timeline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Besides KSE's annual team summit, the cross-sport connections are more organic than prescriptive.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

The notes on various herbs and plants seemed to be more informational than prescriptive, and there was no clear-cut recipe for a love spell or its reversal.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo