descriptivism

/ (dɪˈskrɪptɪˌvɪzəm) /

Save This Word!

noun

ethics the theory that moral utterances have a truth valueCompare prescriptivism, emotivism

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Derived forms of descriptivism

descriptivist, adjective

Words nearby descriptivism

descriptive grammar, descriptive linguistics, descriptive metaphysics, descriptive notation, descriptive statistics, descriptivism, descriptivist, descriptor, descry, Desdemona, desecrate

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

How to use descriptivism in a sentence

And descriptivism may be the last refuge of the linguistic conservative after the former mistake has become the current rule.
Busted by The Language Cops|David Frum|April 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST