What does descriptive mean?
Word: Descriptive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Descriptive means describing something in detail so that the reader or listener can picture it clearly.
Synonyms: detailed, graphic, expressive
Antonyms: vague
How do you spell descriptive?
Syllables: de - scrip - tive
Tricky part: Describe changes its b to p in this word: descriptive, not describtive.
Watch out for: describtive, decriptive, descriptave
Memory tip: The b of describe turns into a p, just as prescribe turns into prescription.
Descriptive in a sentence
Example 1: Write a descriptive paragraph about your favourite festival.
Example 2: The guidebook has descriptive notes on every temple in Hampi.
Example 3: His descriptive answer earned full marks in the English test.
Fun Fact
Describe, script, scribble and scribe all go back to the Latin scribere, to write.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. expository 2. persuasive 3. narrative 4. descriptiv
a) telling a story
b) explaining facts and ideas
c) trying to make someone agree or act
d) giving details that create a clear picture
Show answer
d) giving details that create a clear picture. Descriptiv has lost its final e; the word meant is descriptive, so its meaning is the answer.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The radio commentator gave such a ievtprcides account of the match that listeners could picture every shot.
a) destructive
b) prescriptive
c) deceptive
d) descriptive
Show answer
d) descriptive. Prescriptive needs a second p and a second r, destructive a u, and deceptive has no r or s; an account that paints every shot is descriptive.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to descriptive as used in the sentence:
Her descriptive letter about the hill station made us feel we had walked through the misty tea gardens ourselves.
a) formal
b) vivid
c) descending
d) brief
Show answer
b) vivid. A letter full of detail is vivid; a brief or formal letter would not paint the tea gardens, and descending only sounds alike.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sentence is the most descriptive?
a) We visited the fort on Sunday with our cousins and aunt.
b) Our class went to the fort and came back by bus.
c) The fort's crumbling walls glowed orange in the setting sun.
d) The fort was built a long time ago by a local king.
Show answer
c) The fort's crumbling walls glowed orange in the setting sun.
2. In a descriptive essay, a writer mainly ____.
a) gives step-by-step instructions to follow
b) lists dates and events in order
c) argues hard for one side of a debate
d) uses details of sight, sound and smell
Show answer
d) uses details of sight, sound and smell
