demonstrative

1 of 2

adjective

de·mon·stra·tive di-ˈmän(t)-strə-tiv

: demonstrating as real or true

: characterized or established by demonstration

grammar : pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class (as in that in "that house")

demonstrative pronouns

demonstrative adjectives

: marked by display of feeling

made a demonstrative gesture

: inclined to display feelings openly

a demonstrative preacher

demonstratively adverb

demonstrativeness noun

demonstrative

2 of 2

noun

grammar

: a word or morpheme pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing it from others of the same class : a demonstrative (see demonstrative entry 1 sense 2) word or morpheme

the demonstratives "this," "that," "these," and "those"

Example Sentences

Adjective In the phrase “this is my hat,” the word “this” is a demonstrative pronoun. In the phrase “give me that book,” the word “that” is a demonstrative adjective.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trailing 6-0 after the first set, Thompson battled back but fell short 6-3 in the second against the demonstrative Bowles, who clearly has a bright tennis future ahead.

Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 22 Oct. 2022 Though not as demonstrative as Green, Looney might be the best person to fill that void.

Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Oct. 2022 Such a demonstrative proof, however, would have at once shown me to be correct and also necessarily wrong.

Percival Everett, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022 The only recent coach to escape the vocal wrath of Mexico’s fans and media members was Miguel Herrera, whose playful enthusiasm and demonstrative behavior won over his critics.

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2022 Made in and served in an elegant carafe and glass by Akwaaba Inns, the Margarita can be less of a party and more of a vibe, making its mark on the fashion world as a demonstrative tool of style.

Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 But such floppy approximations are trivial alongside Dominik’s more garish and demonstrative tricks.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2022 The final look was especially memorable and demonstrative of the Burts’ lean into avant-garde designing with sensible touches.

Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 14 Sep. 2022 Once removed, Brooks was very demonstrative, standing and making many hand and arm gestures.

Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demonstrative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English demonstratyf "based on logic, pointing out (of a pronoun)," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French demonstratif, borrowed from Late Latin dēmonstrātīvus "pointing out (of a pronoun), able to prove" (Latin, "displaying—in rhetoric"), from Latin dēmonstrātus, past participle of dēmonstrāre "to indicate, show, demonstrate" + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English demonstratyf, borrowed from Late Latin dēmonstrātīvum, noun derivative from neuter of dēmonstrātīvus demonstrative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of demonstrative was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century