Instructive: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is intended to provide knowledge or teach how to do something. Often associated with examples, lessons, or demonstrations.

• The documentary was particularly instructive, showing every step of the manufacturing process.
• His comments were instructive and helped clarify the complex procedure.

Applicable to anything related to education or learning, commonly used in academic settings or to describe activities that aim to educate.

• The museum trip was an educational experience for the students.
• He attended an educational seminar on financial literacy.

Describes something that provides a lot of useful or interesting information, typically used for articles, reports, or presentations.

• The presentation was highly informative, covering all the recent advancements in the field.
• She found the magazine article very informative and full of detailed insights.

Used to describe experiences or information that provides new understanding or insights, often making concepts clearer or revealing previously unknown facts.

• The lecture on quantum physics was enlightening; I never thought about the universe that way before.
• Reading the book was an enlightening experience as it challenged my preconceived notions.

Usually related to the act of teaching or methods involved in education and instruction. Often pertains to educators and their practices.

• Effective teaching requires both patience and creativity.
• Modern teaching methods emphasize student engagement and active participation.

This word is best used when something is informative and helps to teach or explain something. It is often utilized in educational contexts or when emphasizing the learning aspect of a subject.

• The book was highly instructive, providing detailed insights into the history of the region.
• Her comments were both insightful and instructive, helping the team understand the project better.

This word is most appropriate when referring to an occasion or period of learning, typically structured and instructional, such as in a classroom. It can also be used to describe a moral or realization derived from an experience.

• Today's math lesson focused on algebra.
• The incident taught him a valuable lesson about trust.

Moral is used to refer to the lesson or principle derived from a story or experience, often related to ethics and behavior. It implies a deeper, often philosophical understanding or insight.

• The moral of the story is to always be honest.
• Every fable ends with a moral that teaches an important value.

Admonition is typically used in situations where there is a warning or reprimand. It often carries a negative connotation and implies that someone is being cautioned or scolded for their behavior.

• The teacher's admonition about cheating was stern and clear.
• Despite the friendly tone, the manager's email was an admonition to follow the company's policies.

Use this word when referring to advice or direction, especially when one person is helping another navigate a situation or make decisions. It is often used in supportive contexts.

• She sought guidance from her mentor before making the career change.
• The guidelines provide clear guidance on how to complete the application process.