What does restrictive mean?
Word: Restrictive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Restrictive means allowing people only a little freedom, often less than is fair or needed.
Synonyms: strict, confining, controlling
Antonyms: permissive, lenient, free
How do you spell restrictive?
Syllables: re - stric - tive
Tricky part: The ending is -ive, with an e at the end. Students write restrictiv.
Watch out for: restrictiv, restricktive, restrictieve
Memory tip: End it the way you end active: with -ive and a final e.
Restrictive in a sentence
Example 1: The hostel had restrictive rules about visitors after 8 pm.
Example 2: Tight, restrictive clothes are not ideal for yoga.
Example 3: Some parents find screen-time apps too restrictive.
Fun Fact
In grammar, a restrictive clause tells you exactly which thing is meant: in 'the boys who passed got a prize', the words who passed pick out which boys.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word restrictive as used in the sentence:
The old school's restrictive dress code banned even coloured hair clips.
a) colourful
b) relaxed
c) generous
d) limiting
Show answer
d) limiting. A restrictive code limits what students may wear.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Some players found the new coach's ctrevirsite training rules hard to follow.
a) restricted
b) restrictive
c) receptive
d) restorative
Show answer
b) restrictive. Restricted ends in ed and receptive has a p, while restorative needs an o and an a.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. excesive 2. responsable 3. compulsery 4. restrictive
a) that must be done
b) keeping freedom within tight bounds
c) having a duty to look after something
d) more than is needed
Show answer
b) keeping freedom within tight bounds. Excessive has a double s, compulsory ends in -ory, and responsible ends in -ible.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The new library rules felt restrictive at first, but soon everyone agreed that the quiet hour helped them consentrate on their reading.
a) consentrate
b) library
c) agreed
d) restrictive
Show answer
a) consentrate. Concentrate keeps the c of centre: con-cen-trate.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A restrictive diet is one that ____.
a) cuts out many kinds of food
b) is meant only for athletes
c) is eaten late at night
d) lets you eat anything at all
Show answer
a) cuts out many kinds of food
2. Which of these visiting rules is the most restrictive?
a) visitors on weekends
b) visitors with a pass
c) no visitors at any time
d) visitors until 9 pm
Show answer
c) no visitors at any time
