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declarative

[ dih-klar-uh-tiv ]
/ dɪˈklær ə tɪv /
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adjective
serving to declare, make known, or explain: a declarative statement.
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Also de·clar·a·to·ry [dih-klar-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]. /dɪˈklær əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/.

Origin of declarative

1530–40; <Latin dēclārātīvus explanatory, equivalent to dēclārāt(us) (see declaration) + -īvus-ive

OTHER WORDS FROM declarative

Words nearby declarative

declamation, declamatory, declarant, declaration, Declaration of Independence, declarative, declarative sentence, declarator, declaratory, declaratory judgment, declare
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT DECLARATIVE

What does declarative mean?

Declarative describes something that makes information known, offers an explicit explanation, or describes something that makes an official statement, as in The prime minister gave a declarative speech on her opposition to the war.

If someone is giving a declarative statement, then they are clearly and firmly stating something, as in The mayor’s declarative report detailed her plans to decrease pollution.

In English grammar, a declarative sentence is used to state facts, opinions, or other information, as this sentence does.

Another word for declarative is declaratory, which is often used in law and legal documentation.

Example: When Ming started skipping practices, the coach saw it as a declarative statement that Ming was done with the team.

Where does declarative come from?

The first records of declarative come from around 1530. It comes from the Latin dēclārātīvus, which means “explanatory.” Declarative things offer explanations and share information.

Declarative speeches, statements, or announcements are taken very seriously and are assumed to be the deliverer’s true feelings, beliefs, or opinions. For this reason, powerful people will often shy away from making declarative announcements in case they change their minds or are later proven wrong.

In computer science, declarative programming is a style of programming that states what the program should do but not how it should do it.

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What are some other forms related to declarative?

  • declaratively (adverb)
  • nondeclarative (adjective)
  • nondeclaratively (adverb)
  • nondeclaratory (adjective)

What are some synonyms for declarative?

What are some words that share a root or word element with declarative?

What are some words that often get used in discussing declarative?

How is declarative used in real life?

People make bold, declarative statements every day.

Try using declarative!

Is declarative used correctly in the following sentence?

The rebel leader made a declarative speech, demanding the release of prisoners.

Words related to declarative

analytical, informative, interpretive, supplementary, allegorical, annotative, critical, demonstrative, diagrammatic, discursive, enlightening, exegetic, exegetical, explicative, expositional, expository, graphic, guiding, hermeneutic, illuminative

How to use declarative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for declarative

declarative
/ (dɪˈklærətɪv) /
adjective
making or having the nature of a declaration

Derived forms of declarative

declaratively, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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