demonstrative

American  

[duh-mon-struh-tiv] / dəˈmɒn strə tɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by or given to open exhibition or expression of one's emotions, attitudes, etc., especially of love or affection.

   She wished her fiancé were more demonstrative.

2. serving to demonstrate; explanatory or illustrative.

3. serving to prove the truth of anything; indubitably conclusive.

4. Grammar. indicating or singling out the thing referred to. This is a demonstrative pronoun.

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noun

1. Grammar. a demonstrative word, as this or there.

demonstrative British  

/ dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv /

adjective

1. tending to manifest or express one's feelings easily or unreservedly

2. serving as proof; indicative

3. involving or characterized by demonstration

   a demonstrative lecture

4. conclusive; indubitable

   demonstrative arguments

5. grammar denoting or belonging to a class of determiners used to point out the individual referent or referents intended, such as this, that, these, and those Compare interrogative relative

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noun

1. grammar a demonstrative word or construction

Other Word Forms

• demonstratively
  adverb
• demonstrativeness
  noun
• nondemonstrative
  adjective
• nondemonstratively
  adverb
• nondemonstrativeness
  noun
• predemonstrative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of demonstrative

1350–1400; Middle English demonstratif (< Middle French ) < Latin dēmonstrātīvus, equivalent to dēmonstrāt ( us ) ( see demonstrate) + -īvus -ive

Explanation

People who are demonstrative easily and clearly show their emotions. A demonstrative person might shout "Hooray" and jump for joy at good news. A non-demonstrative person might feel no less excited, but refrain from demonstrating it. To demonstrate means to show, so think of demonstrative as showing. In legal terms, demonstrative is used to describe evidence that shows that something happened––a note that says "I did it" might show, or demonstrate, an accused person's guilt. In grammar, demonstrative pronouns––this, that, these, those––indicate the thing or person that is being pointed out, or shown, as in “Officer, it was ‘that’ man who stole my purse!”

Example Sentences

He is not a demonstrative individual, in news conferences or on the sideline.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

The group’s atmospheric sound and heart-on-sleeve romanticism have become touchstones for a wide variety of acts, from tranquil dream-poppers to loud and demonstrative emo-punks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

These videos aren’t necessarily emblematic of what I like, but their presence is demonstrative of the strangest, most rat-like part of my brain, seeking dopamine hits in the form of weird, 30-second blips.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2024

Or that he celebrated with a demonstrative two-hand bat flip, displaying as much emotion as manager Dave Roberts could remember since his iconic long ball in the 2020 National League Championship Series.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2024

Pleased, Mama bent to give Diko’s snout a demonstrative pat.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• candid
• effusive
• outspoken