descriptive

/dɪˈskrɪptɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskrɪptɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈskrip-tiv/ (ame, mw)

descriptive — adjective

  • descriptivepositive
  • more descriptivecomparative
  • most descriptivesuperlative

1. providing a detailed account or picture of what someone or something is like, es

1.形容詞B2
釋義

providing a detailed account or picture of what someone or something is like, especially by mentioning specific features, qualities, or observations.

例句

A travel guide gave a descriptive account of the market, naming every spice and fabric.

descriptive account of [topic]

Ishaan's essay was so descriptive that I could picture the village clearly.

so descriptive that

同義詞
  • detailed

    focuses on the amount of information included, whereas descriptive emphasises how the information is presented

  • vivid

    stronger in tone, suggesting the description creates a clear mental picture; more emotional than descriptive

  • illustrative

    used specifically to explain or clarify a point, often with concrete examples

反義詞
  • vague

    lacking specific details or clear qualities

  • nondescript

    having no interesting or distinctive features to describe

文法句型

descriptive + noun

be + descriptive

so + descriptive + that

常見錯誤

❌The book is very descriptive about ancient Rome.
✅The book describes ancient Rome in great detail.
💡'descriptive' is an adjective describing the quality of the writing, not a verb phrase; use 'describes in detail' instead.

2. focused on observing and recording how a language or field of study really opera

2.形容詞C1
釋義

focused on observing and recording how a language or field of study really operates in practice, without issuing guidance on what is correct or proper.

例句

Modern linguistics takes a descriptive approach to grammar rather than a prescriptive one.

descriptive approach vs. prescriptive approach

This dictionary is descriptive in its method, recording how people actually speak.

descriptive in its method

同義詞
  • empirical

    based on observation or experience rather than theory; stronger methodological claim than descriptive

  • observational

    focuses specifically on the method of watching and recording without intervention

  • factual

    concerned with facts, but lacks the specific contrast with prescriptive that descriptive carries

反義詞
  • prescriptive

    stating rules or norms for how something should be done, rather than describing how it is done

  • normative

    establishing or conforming to a standard or norm, especially in ethics or social sciences

文法句型

descriptive + noun (approach/grammar/study)

descriptive in + noun (method/approach)

用法筆記

Often contrasted with prescriptive, especially in linguistics and the social sciences. This sense is most common in academic writing and discussion.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave us descriptive grammar rules to follow.
✅The linguist's descriptive grammar records how people actually speak.
💡descriptive grammar does NOT give rules to follow; it observes and records patterns.