prescriptive

[pri-skrip-tiv]

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.

prescriptive

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• prescriptively adverb
• prescriptiveness noun
• nonprescriptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prescriptive¹

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

Example Sentences

Coming from another breed of mom, this would be a prelude to prescriptive punishment.

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The other factor—the prescriptive part—was the large number of skilled artisans and engineers in Britain.

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The new generation of so-called “agentic AI” would be more prescriptive and could automatically turn those insights into actions such as adjusting prices, reordering products, or tailoring marketing messages, said Chen.

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Players are encouraged to take responsibility rather than adhere to the prescriptive discipline of Erik ten Hag's time.

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This is a contrast to the prescriptive approach of Erik ten Hag, who punished players if they were late for meetings.

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