demonstrative
1 of 2adjective
de·mon·stra·tive di-ˈmän(t)-strə-tiv 
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 2noun
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"
Synonyms
Adjective
- effusive
- emotional
- touchy-feely
- uninhibited
- unreserved
- unrestrained
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 And Even Laster: Empressement (ahm-press-MONT), demonstrative warmth or cordiality. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 The rage feels justifiably intense, but the play suffers from its demonstrative excess: The audience gets the drift all too soon. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Society has to be on the up and up that AI is going to have a demonstrative impact on societal power dynamics. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 May 2022 During arguments, Breyer is often demonstrative, waving his arms for emphasis. John Fritze, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2022 My parents just weren’t demonstrative in that fashion. Richard Webner, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2022 Thibodeau’s complaining to the referees is typically loud and demonstrative. Stefan Bondy, courant.com, 6 Mar. 2022 To put a measure on it: maybe 5% less demonstrative than in the salad days, because girls will be women, but just as engaging, and seemingly engaged. Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Mar. 2022 See More
Adjective
But nothing beat the 200 meters for drama, with Noah Lyles and all his demonstrative, crowd-pumping glory besting stoic teenager Erriyon Knighton, who at 18 is one of the sport’s rising stars. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 And Even Laster: Empressement (ahm-press-MONT), demonstrative warmth or cordiality. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 The rage feels justifiably intense, but the play suffers from its demonstrative excess: The audience gets the drift all too soon. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Society has to be on the up and up that AI is going to have a demonstrative impact on societal power dynamics. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 May 2022 During arguments, Breyer is often demonstrative, waving his arms for emphasis. John Fritze, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2022 My parents just weren’t demonstrative in that fashion. Richard Webner, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2022 Thibodeau’s complaining to the referees is typically loud and demonstrative. Stefan Bondy, courant.com, 6 Mar. 2022 To put a measure on it: maybe 5% less demonstrative than in the salad days, because girls will be women, but just as engaging, and seemingly engaged. Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Mar. 2022 See More 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
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
demonstrative
adjective
de·mon·stra·tive di-ˈmän-strə-tiv
1
: pointing out the one referred to and showing that it differs from others
In "this is my dog" and "that is their dog," "this" and "that" are demonstrative pronouns.
2
: showing feeling freely
a demonstrative person
demonstrative
adjective
1
as in emotional
showing feeling freely my grandmother was always very demonstrative when we visited, showering us with hugs and kisses Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- emotional
- affectionate
- effusive
- loving
- passionate
- uninhibited
- touchy-feely
- unreserved
- outgoing
- communicative
- dramatic
- theatrical
- unrestrained
- histrionic
- sentimental
- theatric
- melodramatic
- sensitive
- outspoken
- expansive
- intense
- gushy
- feeling
- warm
- mawkish
- extroverted
- blunt
- schmaltzy
- soulful
- maudlin
- gushing
- candid
- frank
- extraverted
- mushy
- hyperemotional
- plain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undemonstrative
- restrained
- reserved
- unemotional
- inhibited
- silent
- constrained
- quiet
- modest
- reticent
- bashful
- shy
- dispassionate
- taciturn
- introverted
- indifferent
- aloof
- stolid
- detached
- phlegmatic
- unconcerned
- retiring
- impassive
- unfeeling
- emotionless
- cold
- unfriendly
- frigid
- icy
- glacial
- chilly
- self-directed
- hard-edged
- hard-hearted
- hard-boiled
2
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling a demonstrative welcome for the returning troops by their families and friends Synonyms & Similar Words
- passionate
- passional
- fervent
- warm
- emotional
- intense
- enthusiastic
- ardent
- charged
- religious
- impassioned
- fiery
- glowing
- vehement
- fervid
- perfervid
- blazing
- incandescent
- flaming
- burning
- torrid
- feverish
- sentimental
- hot-blooded
- on fire
- superheated
- histrionic
- gushy
- sloppy
- zealous
- warm-blooded
- melodramatic
- mawkish
- schmaltzy
- sappy
- maudlin
- saccharine
- gushing
- obsessed
- mushy
- red-hot
- enamored
- infatuated
- sugary
- uninhibited
- keen
- unreserved
- gung ho
- frenzied
- unrestrained
- overexcited
- overemotional
- orgiastic
- overheated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dispassionate
- cold
- cool
- impassive
- impersonal
- objective
- detached
- dry
- unemotional
- emotionless
- reserved
- undemonstrative