prescriptive

American  

[pri-skrip-tiv] / prɪˈskrɪp tɪv /

adjective

1. that prescribes; giving directions or injunctions.

   a prescriptive letter from an anxious father.

2. depending on or arising from effective legal prescription, as a right or title established by a long unchallenged tenure.

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prescriptive British  

/ prɪˈskrɪptɪv /

adjective

1. making or giving directions, rules, or injunctions

2. sanctioned by long-standing usage or custom

3. derived from or based upon legal prescription

   a prescriptive title

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Other Word Forms

• nonprescriptive adjective
• prescriptively adverb
• prescriptiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of prescriptive

First recorded in 1740–50; prescript + -ive, modeled on descriptive, destructive, etc.

Example Sentences

In its place: a more prescriptive framework that explicitly warns against the health risk of ultra-processed foods, and calls for Americans to eat more protein, embrace saturated fat, and cut back on carbohydrates.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Coming from another breed of mom, this would be a prelude to prescriptive punishment.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025

Mr. Mokyr argues that two factors were responsible for the 19th-century Industrial Revolution that kicked off growth: prescriptive knowledge and propositional knowledge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

This is a contrast to the prescriptive approach of Erik ten Hag, who punished players if they were late for meetings.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2025

The notes on various herbs and plants seemed to be more informational than prescriptive, and there was no clear-cut recipe for a love spell or its reversal.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo