B2adjectivelanguageacademic
US/dɪˈskrɪp.tɪv/
UK/dɪˈskrɪp.tɪv/
giving details that show what someone or something is like, without judging or explaining
In context
Her descriptive writing made the old village feel alive to every reader.
The report is purely descriptive; it does not explain why prices rose.
Try to use more descriptive words than "nice" and "good" in your essay.
Words that go with descriptive
adjective + noun
- descriptive writingDescriptive writing needs strong, specific details.
- descriptive essayOur first task was a descriptive essay about our street.
- descriptive languageThe poem is full of vivid descriptive language.
- descriptive statisticsThe first table gives basic descriptive statistics.
adverb + adjective
- purely descriptiveHer approach is purely descriptive, not critical.
- highly descriptiveThe author uses highly descriptive passages about the sea.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The writer is very descriptive about the town.Correct: The writer is very descriptive of the town.