consumptive

1 of 2

adjective

con·​sump·​tive kən-ˈsəm(p)-tiv 

1

: tending to consume

2

: of, relating to, or affected with consumption

consumptively adverb

consumptive

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with consumption

Examples of consumptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This is known as consumptive use. — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025

So a large chunk of our desktop products are sold to our largest customers on a purely consumptive basis. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Noun

The wind sighs three strong children, one consumptive and two gone. — Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Money saved is immediately loaned out by financial intermediaries (think banks) to those who have near-term consumptive desires. — John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1666, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for consumptive

• presumptive

Kids Definition

consumptive

1 of 2 adjective

con·​sump·​tive kən-ˈsəm(p)-tiv 

: of, relating to, or affected with consumption

consumptive

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has consumption

Medical Definition

consumptive

1 of 2 adjective

con·​sump·​tive -ˈsəm(p)-tiv 

: of, relating to, or affected with consumption

a consumptive cough

a consumptive child

consumptively adverb

consumptive

2 of 2 noun

: an individual affected with consumption