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REFERENCE

constructive

adj.
US //kənˈstɹəktɪv// UK //kənstɹˈʌktɪv// con·struc·tive
  1. 1 helpful and useful (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    useful and intended to help or improve something.

    serving a useful purpose or helping to improve a situation; often used to describe feedback or criticism that offers solutions.

    Example

    The teacher gave me some constructive advice on how to improve my essay.

    Example

    Instead of merely pointing out flaws, the manager provided constructive feedback that helped the team refine their workflow for the next quarter.

    Usage

    Commonly collocates with 'criticism', 'feedback', 'advice', or 'dialogue'.
  2. 2 legal inference (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    treated as true or real by a court, even if it did not actually happen in a simple way.

    legally deemed to exist or to have occurred by operation of law, regardless of the actual intent or literal facts.

    Example

    The company had constructive knowledge of the problem because their employees saw it happen.

    Example

    The court ruled that the employer's actions amounted to constructive dismissal, as the hostile work environment forced the employee to resign against their will.

    Usage

    Frequently appears in terms like 'constructive notice', 'constructive knowledge', or 'constructive dismissal'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly specialized legal sense; learners should be aware that it means 'treated as if it were true' in a courtroom context.
Origin

From Latin cōnstrūctīvus. By surface analysis, construct + -ive.

Word family

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