What does communicative mean?
Communicative is an adjective with two related uses. Most commonly it describes a person who is willing and able to talk openly — someone who shares information, ideas, or feelings freely. Calling someone communicative usually carries a warm, positive connotation: such a person is approachable and forthcoming, though the word suggests genuine openness rather than mere chattiness. Its second sense belongs to linguistics and education, where it refers to the exchange of meaning itself; 'communicative competence', for example, denotes the ability to use a language effectively in real social situations rather than simply knowing its rules. The word derives from the Latin communicare, 'to share or make common', the same root that underlies community and communion. This shared origin captures its essence: a communicative person treats their thoughts as something held in common with others. It pairs naturally with intensifiers such as 'highly' and contrasts sharply with its antonym, uncommunicative.
(Of a person) willing and able to talk to others and share information or feelings.
"She was unusually communicative for someone so new to the team."
(Linguistics) Relating to the exchange of information or meaning between speakers.
"Communicative approaches to teaching prioritise real interaction over memorisation."
The same Latin root that gives us 'community' — communis, 'shared by all' — hides inside 'communicative': to be communicative is literally to treat your thoughts as common property.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of communicative
Communicative entered English in the early 17th century from Late Latin communicativus, derived from communicare, meaning 'to share, make common', which itself comes from communis, 'common or public'. The root also produced communicate, communication, and communion, all centred on the idea of sharing or holding things in common. The word has retained this core sense throughout its history, moving from a general notion of imparting or sharing to its modern emphasis on openness in speech.
Related word forms
How communicative is actually used
Mostly used of people or their manner; describing someone as communicative is generally positive, implying openness rather than mere talkativeness. In applied linguistics, 'communicative' is a technical term, as in 'communicative language teaching'.
Easily confused with communicative
'Commutative' is a mathematics term describing operations where order does not affect the result (as in addition), whereas 'communicative' describes a willingness or ability to share information.