demonstrative

1 of 2

adjective

de·​mon·​stra·​tive di-ˈmän(t)-strə-tiv 

1

a

: demonstrating as real or true

b

: characterized or established by demonstration

2

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

3

a

: marked by display of feeling

made a demonstrative gesture

b

: 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"

Synonyms

Adjective

• effusive
• emotional
• touchy-feely
• uninhibited
• unreserved
• unrestrained

Examples of demonstrative in a Sentence

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

Why was the usually demonstrative Sai so calm and composed on her exit? —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025

By the late ’80s, the work got much larger and more demonstrative, with bolder and surprising colors. —Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025

Noun

Proportion play and demonstrative, pointy shoes gave the whole affair a rigorous yet madcap effect. —Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Biden’s remarks were brief, lasting less than ten minutes, but simultaneously rousing and demonstrative of his lifelong Catholic faith. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 7 July 2024

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

demonstrative

1 of 2 adjective

de·​mon·​stra·​tive di-ˈmän(t)-strət-iv 

1

: characterized or established by demonstration

demonstrative reasoning

2

: indicating the one referred to and pointing it out from others of the same kind

the demonstrative pronoun "this" in "this is my hat"

the demonstrative adjective "that" in "that book"

3

: showing feeling freely

a demonstrative greeting

demonstratively adverb

demonstrative

2 of 2 noun

: a demonstrative word

especially : a demonstrative pronoun