restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to restriction

b

: serving or tending to restrict

restrictive regulations

a restrictive diet

2

: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase

3

: prohibiting further negotiation

restrictive noun

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun

Did you know?

Restrictive covenants (that is, agreements) in real-estate deeds were once used to forbid the buyer from ever selling the property to anyone of another race. These are now illegal, though other kinds of restrictive covenants are very common; in some neighborhoods, they may even tell you what colors you can't paint your house. In grammar, a restrictive clause is one that limits the meaning of something that comes before it. In the sentence "That's the professor who I'm trying to avoid", "who I'm trying to avoid" is a restrictive clause, since it's what identifies the professor. But in the sentence "That's my History professor, who I'm trying to avoid", the same clause is nonrestrictive, since the professor has already been identified as "my History professor". There should always be a comma before a nonrestrictive clause, but not before a restrictive clause.

Examples of restrictive in a Sentence

In the sentence “The book that you ordered is out of print,” “that you ordered” is a restrictive clause.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ryan Lin Bayfront Law But what once seemed restrictive is increasingly being viewed by some as a source of security. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

The slight boost in power—the standard vehicle makes 502 hp and 331 ft lbs of torque—can be attributed to a less restrictive exhaust system, according to Car and Driver. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026

His announcement comes as Venezuelan migrants are encountering increasingly restrictive immigration policies across the hemisphere. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

And what of the fourth prediction, that doctors would leave restrictive states? — David N. Hackney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing restrictive

• restrictive clause

Rhymes for restrictive

• addictive
• constrictive
• predictive
• vindictive
• magnetostrictive

Kids Definition

restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

: serving or likely to restrict

2

: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase

restrictive noun

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun

Legal Definition

restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to restriction

b

: serving or tending to restrict

2

: prohibiting further negotiation

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun