emotive

American  

[ih-moh-tiv] / ɪˈmoʊ tɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by or pertaining to emotion.

   the emotive and rational capacities of humankind.

2. productive of or directed toward the emotions.

   Artistic distortion is often an emotive use of form.

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emotive British  

/ ɪˈməʊtɪv /

adjective

1. tending or designed to arouse emotion

2. of or characterized by emotion

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Usage

Emotional is preferred to emotive when describing a display of emotion: he was given an emotional (not emotive ) welcome

Other Word Forms

• emotively adverb
• emotiveness noun
• emotivity noun
• hyperemotive adjective
• hyperemotively adverb
• hyperemotiveness noun
• hyperemotivity noun
• nonemotive adjective
• nonemotively adverb
• nonemotiveness noun
• unemotive adjective
• unemotively adverb
• unemotiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of emotive

First recorded in 1725–35; emot(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

"It is difficult to feel you're invested in what happens here at the emotive level without coming here in person."

From BBC

It was only when he penned Since We Divided - a big swelling ballad with piano and emotive vocals about a teenage relationship - that Shay started to gain confidence he could succeed with music.

From BBC

They all conveyed a sense of urgency, using emotive language.

From BBC

Diners were ushered into a grand, circular room, served by waiters dressed in "hanfu", and treated to an eight-act performance involving twirling dancers and emotive dialogue from actors.

From Barron's

In any case, Mr. Bottum’s argument is less textual and more emotive.

From The Wall Street Journal