instructive

adjective

in·​struc·​tive in-ˈstrək-tiv 

: carrying a lesson : enlightening

instructively adverb

instructiveness noun

Synonyms

• educational
• educative
• enlightening
• illuminating
• informational
• informative
• informatory
• instructional

Examples of instructive in a Sentence

an interesting and instructive lesson

an instructive demonstration of the proper way to pack a suitcase so your clothes don't arrive in a mess

Recent Examples on the Web

His current gig at the forestry nonprofit Canopy, which helps companies scale deforestation-free innovations, has been instructive, even though there isn’t much overlap between sustainable viscose and the bovine leather alternatives that Brave GentleMan touted. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 May 2025

The leadership team’s characterization of the business climate and the outlook, while subjective, can be instructive. —Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Depositphotos Participants’ responses to interview questions were instructive. —New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025

The exact figures involved have never been clear, but Newcastle’s accounts are instructive. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instructive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Kids Definition

instructive

adjective

in·​struc·​tive in-ˈstrək-tiv 

: giving knowledge : helping to instruct or inform

an instructive experience

instructively adverb