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

Acting, as Chalamet has shown time and again, is as much about a lithe and flexible body as it is about an emotive psyche.

From Los Angeles Times

On average, their eyes dwelt on their screen for longer when the language was angry and emotive.

From BBC

"Her spontaneity, emotive restraint and quiet confidence stood out immediately. Her courage to move far from home and attempt something entirely new at this age won us over."

From BBC

Although the issue was not discussed further during the event, some students later said they appreciated seeing a politician talking openly about such an emotive and taboo subject.

From BBC

Simpson said the challenge was how to hold Walter Mitty's to account proportionally on such an emotive subject for many.

From BBC