descriptivist

[dih-skrip-tuh-vist]

noun

1. a writer, teacher, or supporter of descriptive grammar or descriptive linguistics.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or based on descriptive grammar or descriptive linguistics.

Other Word Forms

• descriptivism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of descriptivist¹

First recorded in 1950–55; descriptive + -ist