ostensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ostensive' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "expressly or obviously shown" and it can be used to describe a situation, statement, or action that is clearly communicated. For example, "The professor's ostensive message was that the students should start studying for the midterm right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Definitions may be classified as lexical, ostensive, and stipulative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ostensive definition specifies the meaning of an expression by pointing to examples of things to which the expression applies (e.g., green is the color of grass, limes, lily pads, and emeralds).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like nearly all definitions, Bell's is really more ostensive than analytic, better achieved by pointing than by phrasing.

The New Yorker

I interpreted these knit-hackings as counteractions to the attempts to define hacktivist as something sinister; they serve as ostensive definitions of what hacktivism is and what hacktivists do.

The New York Times

As in the conduct of wars themselves, the institutionalisation of military spending quickly becomes entangled in a series of incentives that are entirely tangential to the ostensive motive.

The Guardian - Opinion

An ostensive definitions can also be explicative.

SEP

However, the proposition that "this one is dead" is impossible (necessarily false), since one cannot make the requisite ostensive reference to a dead man so as to make it true that "this one [i.e. the (living) thing I'm pointing to] is dead," for a dead person isn't the same thing as what was there previously (Alex. Aph., 38F).

SEP

An ostensive definition can bring about an essential enrichment of a language.

SEP

Ostensive definitions typically depend on context and on experience.

SEP

Marga Reimer (1991a, 1992), taking up a suggestion that Kaplan introduced in his (1978) but then later abandoned, suggests that when true demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' are accompanied by ostensive gestures, then the referent itself must lie in the general direction indicated by that gesture.

SEP

One worry regarding this sort of view, however, is that it would seem to entail speakers cannot use the impure indexicals 'this' and 'that' to refer to objects represented by other objects in the direction of the speaker's ostensive gesture — which seems false.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensive" when you want to describe something that is presented as being true or the case, but may not necessarily be so. This is particularly useful in philosophical or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensive" simply as a synonym for "obvious". "Ostensive" carries a nuance of something being presented or demonstrated, while "obvious" simply implies something is easily perceived.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "ostensive" is to act as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something that is apparent or demonstrative. As Ludwig AI states, it means "expressly or obviously shown".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostensive" is an adjective typically used in formal and scientific contexts to describe something that is apparent or demonstrative, though potentially without complete or underlying truth. Ludwig AI confirms that "ostensive" is grammatically correct and suitable for written English, meaning "expressly or obviously shown". The word appears frequently in sources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Encyclopedia Britannica, which reflect its use in discussing definitions and references. It's important to distinguish "ostensive" from similar words like "obvious", recognizing its unique implication of a displayed appearance that may or may not fully align with reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Demonstrative

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving something, a subtle difference from apparent truth.

Explicit

Focuses on clarity and directness in expression, rather than demonstration.

Evident

Suggests clear proof or indication, unlike the provisional nature that "ostensive" can imply.

Overt

Stresses the openness and lack of concealment, unlike the 'apparent but not necessarily true' sense of "ostensive".

Manifest

Highlights something that is plainly revealed or displayed, focusing less on potential deception.

Apparent

Highlights the seemingly obvious nature, potentially lacking deeper truth.

Patent

Stresses the undisputed clarity, reducing the sense of something 'ostensive' which may require further verification.

Obvious

Implies something easily perceived or understood, potentially overlooking deeper analysis.

Tangible

Emphasizes the concrete and perceptible nature, while "ostensive" can relate to less concrete demonstrations.

Palpable

Focuses on a feeling or atmosphere that is easily perceived, differing from the "ostensive" focus on demonstration.

FAQs

How is "ostensive" used in philosophy?

In philosophy, "ostensive" often describes definitions or references made by pointing or demonstrating. For example, an ostensive definition of 'green' might involve pointing to various green objects.

What does "ostensive" mean in everyday language?

While "ostensive" is more common in academic or philosophical contexts, it generally means apparent or demonstrative. It suggests something is shown or presented, though perhaps not definitively proven.

What can I say instead of "ostensive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "explicit", "demonstrative", or "apparent". Choose the word that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "ostensive" and "demonstrative"?

"Ostensive" suggests something is shown or presented, possibly superficially, while "demonstrative" implies a more active and convincing display or proof.