communicative
gb/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv/ us/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
willing and able to talk
If someone is communicative, they talk and share ideas or feelings easily.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is communicative (with/about [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with communicative meaning “related to communication methods” (common in language teaching).
Synonyms
talkative (Emphasizes talking a lot, not necessarily clarity.)
|
articulate (Emphasizes clear expression, not necessarily willingness to share.)
|
forthcoming (Emphasizes readiness to give information.)
|
expressive (Emphasizes showing feelings, often nonverbally too.)
Antonyms
uncommunicative (Not willing to talk or share information.)
|
reserved (Quiet and not showing feelings easily.)
Collocations
a communicative person
|a very communicative child
|more communicative
|highly communicative
|quite communicative
|naturally communicative
|open and communicative
|communicative with colleagues
|communicative about feelings
|not very communicative
Themes
people
|conversation
|emotions
|relationships
Examples
- He’s friendly and communicative, so group projects are easy with him.
- After a few weeks, she became more communicative with the team.
- I wish he were more communicative about what he wants.
Learner examples
- My sister is very communicative.
- Try to be communicative with your classmates.
adjective
B2
property
2
encouraging open exchange
A communicative team or relationship shares information and feelings openly.
Usage pattern:
a communicative [team/relationship/atmosphere/style]
Common mistake:
Often used about groups or relationships; avoid using it for physical devices (use “communication” or “connected” instead).
Synonyms
open (General; not limited to communication.)
|
transparent (Often about sharing information honestly, especially in organizations.)
|
collaborative (Emphasizes working together, not just exchanging information.)
Antonyms
closed (Not sharing information or feelings openly.)
|
secretive (Actively hiding information.)
Collocations
a communicative team
|a communicative relationship
|a communicative workplace
|a communicative culture
|a communicative environment
|a communicative atmosphere
|a communicative style
|clear and communicative
|open, communicative leadership
|a more communicative approach
Themes
work
|relationships
|education
|social
Examples
- They’ve built a communicative workplace where feedback is normal.
- A communicative relationship depends on trust and honesty.
- The new manager created a more communicative culture on the team.
Learner examples
- We want a communicative class.
- Good couples are communicative.
adjective
C1
property
3
conveying meaning or information
If something is communicative, it shows or sends a clear message.
Usage pattern:
a communicative [gesture/look/design/sign]
Common mistake:
Not usually used to mean “communicating electronically” (use “connected,” “online,” or “in contact”).
Synonyms
expressive (Often about showing feelings rather than giving information.)
|
informative (Focuses on giving useful information.)
|
meaningful (Focuses on significance rather than transmission.)
Antonyms
meaningless (Does not convey a message or significance.)
|
ambiguous (Communicates an unclear or multiple possible messages.)
Collocations
a communicative gesture
|a communicative look
|communicative body language
|a communicative expression
|a communicative design
|a communicative sign
|highly communicative
|visually communicative
|clear and communicative
|communicative cues
Themes
communication
|media
|body_language
|design
Examples
- She gave him a communicative glance that clearly meant “stop.”
- The icons are simple but very communicative.
- His hands were surprisingly communicative even when he said nothing.
Learner examples
- His face was communicative.
- The sign is communicative and easy to understand.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
focused on real communication
In language classes, communicative means practicing speaking and understanding in real situations.
Usage pattern:
communicative [method/approach/activity/task]
Common mistake:
This is a technical education meaning; it does not simply mean “talkative.”
Synonyms
interaction-based (Highlights interaction as the main learning tool.)
|
meaning-focused (Highlights focusing on meaning rather than form.)
Antonyms
grammar-based (Focused mainly on grammatical rules and accuracy.)
|
non-communicative (Not requiring exchange of meaning (e.g., drill-style tasks).)
Collocations
communicative activities
|a communicative task
|a communicative method
|a communicative approach
|communicative practice
|communicative goals
|communicative teaching
|communicative classrooms
|communicative competence
|communicative language learning
Themes
education
|linguistics
|language_learning
Examples
- The course uses communicative activities like role-plays and interviews.
- She prefers a communicative approach that gets students speaking from day one.
- The exam includes communicative tasks such as giving directions.
Learner examples
- Our teacher uses communicative activities.
- I like communicative lessons.
Grammar
Dictionary form
communicative
IPA
GB/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv/
US/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
com - mu - nic - at - ive (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: communicative
Word family
Core family
Related words
communicatively
adverb
miscommunicate
verb
miscommunication
noun
communicable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncommunicative
adjective
Advanced or less common
communicability
noun
Expressions
communicative ability
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv əbˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
capacity to communicate effectively
Communicative ability is how well you can communicate.
Examples
- The program aims to build students’ communicative ability through discussion.
- Her communicative ability in French is stronger than her grammar knowledge.
- The interview tested communicative ability under pressure.
communicative act
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv ˈækt/
fixed phrase
technical
an act meant to communicate
A communicative act is something you do to send a message to someone.
Examples
- Pointing can be a communicative act even without words.
- The study analyzed each communicative act during the conversation.
- A smile may function as a communicative act in some situations.
communicative approach
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv əpɹˈoʊt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
technical
teaching focused on interaction
A communicative approach helps students learn by speaking and using the language in real situations.
Examples
- The school adopted a communicative approach to language teaching.
- A communicative approach usually includes pair work and role-plays.
- Teachers can combine a communicative approach with focused grammar practice.
communicative competence
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv kˈɑmpətɪns/
fixed phrase
technical
knowing how to use language
Communicative competence means using a language correctly and appropriately in real life.
Examples
- The course targets communicative competence through real-world tasks.
- Grammar drills alone don’t guarantee communicative competence.
- Role-plays can help learners build communicative competence.
communicative intent
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv ɪntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
technical
intention to send a message
Communicative intent is wanting to communicate and trying to send a message.
Examples
- The therapist looked for signs of communicative intent, such as pointing or eye contact.
- Even simple gestures can show communicative intent.
- The child’s communicative intent increased with familiar routines.
communicative language teaching
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv lˈæŋɡwɪd͡ʒ tˈit͡ʃɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
method teaching communication first
Communicative language teaching is a method where students learn by using the language to communicate.
Examples
- Communicative language teaching encourages students to negotiate meaning.
- The textbook was designed for communicative language teaching classrooms.
- Some teachers blend communicative language teaching with explicit grammar lessons.
communicative skills
1/kəmjˈunɪkɪtɪv skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
ability to communicate well
Communicative skills are skills for speaking, listening, and sharing ideas clearly.
Examples
- The role requires strong communicative skills and teamwork.
- Training focused on communicative skills like active listening and clear writing.
- Her communicative skills improved quickly after she joined the debate club.