performative

IPA/pəˈfɔːmətɪv/
KK[pɚfˈɔrmətɪv]IPA/pərˈfɔːrmətɪv/

performative — adjective

  • performativepositive
  • more performativecomparative
  • most performativesuperlative

1. done mainly so other people notice your values, feelings, or goodness, rather th

1.形容詞C2
釋義

done mainly so other people notice your values, feelings, or goodness, rather than because you truly mean it

例句

Bilal called the apology performative after the company changed nothing.

used for gestures meant to impress, not help

Many voters saw the mayor's tears as performative during the debate.

同義詞
  • showy

    Showy stresses visible display; performative adds the idea of image management.

  • insincere

    Insincere is broader; performative usually suggests an audience is watching.

反義詞
  • genuine

    Genuine describes feelings or actions that are truly meant.

  • sincere

    Sincere focuses on honesty rather than public display.

文法句型

performative + noun

用法筆記

Usually negative. It is common in political, social, and online criticism of gestures that look caring but lead to no real action.

2. connected with art or theatre that is presented as a live act, often with a stro

2.形容詞C2
釋義

connected with art or theatre that is presented as a live act, often with a strong sense of staging or audience presence

例句

The museum's performative piece asked visitors to sing with strangers.

art built around live audience participation

Hoa wrote a thesis on performative dance in public squares.

同義詞
  • theatrical

    Theatrical often suggests drama or stage style; performative is broader in arts writing.

  • staged

    Staged focuses on being arranged for presentation, while performative can describe the whole artistic mode.

文法句型

performative + noun

用法筆記

Mostly used in art, theatre, dance, and cultural criticism. It points to something experienced as an act or presentation, not just a finished object.

3. used for language that makes the named act happen at the moment it is spoken

3.形容詞C2
釋義

used for language that makes the named act happen at the moment it is spoken

例句

By saying 'I apologize,' Ramon made a performative statement.

speech act: the words complete the act

The judge's 'I sentence you' is a performative formula.

同義詞
  • illocutionary

    Illocutionary is a broader technical term about speech-act force, while performative names forms that do the act directly.

文法句型

performative + noun

用法筆記

Common in linguistics and language philosophy. It is used for expressions such as 'I promise' or 'I apologize', where saying the words is itself the act.