demonstrative

1 of 2

adjective

de·​mon·​stra·​tive di-ˈmän(t)-strə-tiv How to pronounce demonstrative (audio)
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"

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
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Adjective
Alexander Zverev Loses at Wimbledon and Might Need Therapy Alexander Zverev isn’t the most demonstrative of players at the best of times, but the German is going through the worst of times. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 In our culture there’s little more demonstrative action of a parent’s lack of control than having their child drive away in a 4,000-pound hunk of metal on their own. Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
An Oil Market Surplus Is Imminent For all intents and purposes, the volume of the hike is an oversized one that’s demonstrative of OPEC’s intention of putting more barrels on the market for a greater market share. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 Proportion play and demonstrative, pointy shoes gave the whole affair a rigorous yet madcap effect. Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for demonstrative

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of demonstrative was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Demonstrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstrative. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

demonstrative

1 of 2 adjective
de·​mon·​stra·​tive di-ˈmän(t)-strət-iv How to pronounce demonstrative (audio)
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

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