Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Descriptive has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
An adjective (or other descriptive word)
"The report included many descriptive words to paint a vivid picture of the scene."
In plain English: A descriptive noun is a word that tells you what something looks, sounds, feels, tastes, or smells like.
"The descriptive was so detailed that everyone in the room could picture exactly what had happened."
serving to describe or inform or characterized by description
"the descriptive variable"
"a descriptive passage"
of or relating to an approach to linguistic analysis that aims at the description of a language's forms, structures and usage
"descriptive grammar"
Of, relating to, or providing a description.
"The descriptive paragraph vividly painted the scene of the bustling marketplace."
In plain English: Descriptive means giving details that help you picture something clearly with your senses.
"The artist's notes were very descriptive, making me feel like I could see every detail of her painting."
Usage: Use descriptive when referring specifically to words that provide details about appearance, character, or nature rather than those expressing emotion. Distinguish it from the broader term expressive, which can convey feelings without necessarily offering concrete descriptions.
The word descriptive comes from the Latin dēscriptīvus, which literally meant containing a full description. It entered English to describe language that provides detailed accounts of something.