demonstrative
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
serving to demonstrate; explanatory or illustrative.
-
serving to prove the truth of anything; indubitably conclusive.
-
Grammar. indicating or singling out the thing referred to. This is a demonstrative pronoun.
noun
adjective
-
tending to manifest or express one's feelings easily or unreservedly
-
serving as proof; indicative
-
involving or characterized by demonstration
a demonstrative lecture
-
conclusive; indubitable
demonstrative arguments
-
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
noun
Other Word Forms
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!”
Vocabulary lists containing demonstrative
Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Half a World Away
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
“How he not only led by example, but he was very demonstrative in the practice in terms of his expectations of the team, how they played, their togetherness,” Pelinka said.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025
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
The audience’s demonstrative empathy for Louis, though, is as much a credit to the writing as Goldstein’s performance.
From Salon • Dec. 14, 2024
At its most demonstrative it was now about two inches long.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
