demonstrative

[ duh-mon-struh-tiv ]

/ dəˈmɒn strə tɪv /

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See synonyms for demonstrative on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

Grammar. a demonstrative word, as this or there.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of demonstrative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM demonstrative

de·mon·stra·tive·ly, adverbde·mon·stra·tive·ness, nounnon·de·mon·stra·tive, adjectivenon·de·mon·stra·tive·ly, adverb

non·de·mon·stra·tive·ness, nounpre·de·mon·stra·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use demonstrative in a sentence

“Matters of state are not decided on the street,” he declares, wagging a finger demonstratively.
Slouching Towards Maidan: An American Hair-Trader Reflects On Ukraine’s Protests|Vijai Maheshwari|December 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That is, to read Men in Space is to encounter a novelist already aware of his capabilities, at times flexing them demonstratively.
Must Read New Fiction: ‘Arcadia,’ ‘Men in Space,’ ‘The O’Briens,’ ‘Hot Pink’|Chloë Schama, Jacob Silverman, Wendy Smith, Daniel Roberts|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Pain shook hands less demonstratively than his wife, and his leave-taking, if quiet, was not less sincere.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood
At the end of the Rains Boulte's manner towards his wife changed and became demonstratively affectionate.
Under the Deodars|Rudyard Kipling

"Rupert Trevlyn is its rightful owner," said the stranger, almost as demonstratively as Nora herself could have spoken.
Trevlyn Hold|Mrs. Henry Wood
I presume, that in treating of the nature of man, I have demonstratively shewn that animals enjoy not the power of reflection.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume V (of 10)|Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
Aware that it contained nothing contraband, I opened it innocently and demonstratively.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 12, No. 32, November, 1873|Various

British Dictionary definitions for demonstrative

demonstrative

/ (dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv) /

adjective

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

(postpositive foll by of) serving as proof; indicative

involving or characterized by demonstrationa demonstrative lecture

conclusive; indubitabledemonstrative 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 thoseCompare interrogative, relative

noun

grammar a demonstrative word or construction

Derived forms of demonstrative

demonstratively, adverbdemonstrativeness, noun

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

demonstrative

Origin of demonstrative

OTHER WORDS FROM demonstrative

Words related to demonstrative

How to use demonstrative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demonstrative

Derived forms of demonstrative