descriptives
Words that characterize
Descriptives are words or phrases that characterize or modify—adjectives and adverbs, primarily.
The term appears in linguistics and grammar instruction: The descriptives in her writing made the scene come alive.
In research contexts, descriptives (or descriptive statistics) refers to basic summaries of data like means and percentages, as distinct from inferential analysis.
Distinguishing features or qualities
- traitsDistinguishing personal features
- propertiesQualities or owned assets
- featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
- aspectsDistinct elements or sides
qualities · elements · dimensions · hallmarks · peculiarities · idiosyncrasies · nuances · particularities
Intensely clear and bright
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- evocativeTending to summon memories
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- articulateExpress clearly, or well-spoken
graphic · picturesque · poignant · colorful · illustrative · lucid · fluent · pithy
System of specialized terms
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
categorization · labels · designations · epithets · modifiers · qualifiers · monikers · appellations
Act of explaining clearly
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- explicationDetailed interpretive analysis
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
commentary · interpretation · definition · gloss · exegesis · narration · discourse · illumination
Depiction of someone
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- vignetteBrief evocative description
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
illustration · representation · delineation · characterization · word picture · snapshot · profile · portrait
characteristics
Distinguishing features or qualities
- traitsDistinguishing personal features
- propertiesQualities or owned assets
- featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
aspects · qualities · elements · dimensions · hallmarks · peculiarities · idiosyncrasies · nuances · particularities · specifics
vivid
Intensely clear and bright
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- evocativeTending to summon memories
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
articulate · graphic · picturesque · poignant · colorful · illustrative · lucid · fluent · pithy · succinct
nomenclature
System of specialized terms
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
classification · categorization · labels · designations · epithets · modifiers · qualifiers · monikers · appellations · denotation
elucidation
Act of explaining clearly
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- explicationDetailed interpretive analysis
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
annotation · commentary · interpretation · definition · gloss · exegesis · narration · discourse · illumination · breakdown
portrayal
Depiction of someone
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- vignetteBrief evocative description
tableau · illustration · representation · delineation · characterization · word picture · snapshot · profile · portrait · scene
descriptivesaction words
Words expressing deeds
verbs · imperatives · actives · function words · predicates
- descriptive detailSpecific observable element
- descriptive adjectivesWords specifying noun attributes
- descriptive languageWords evoking sensory detail
- descriptive writingText emphasizing sensory detail
- descriptive proseWriting emphasizing imagery and detail
- descriptive essaysWriting rich in detail