performative: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic, Literary, Social Sciences, Formal
Quick answer
What does “performative” mean?
An adjective describing an utterance that constitutes the action it names.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An adjective describing an utterance that constitutes the action it names; a word or phrase that 'does' something rather than merely describes something.
In broader usage, describes behavior, gestures, or social acts that are intended to construct or convey an identity or social reality, often with an element of theatricality or self-conscious enactment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The technical, linguistic/philosophical sense is identical. In cultural theory, the broader sense is common in both varieties, but perhaps more prevalent in American academic discourse.
Connotations
Often carries a critical or analytical connotation, suggesting something is 'done' for effect rather than being innate or genuine.
Frequency
Much more frequent in academic writing than in everyday conversation. Has seen increased usage in popular discourse regarding gender and identity.
Grammar
How to Use “performative” in a Sentence
performative [noun]in a performative [way/manner]performative of [abstract concept]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “performative” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister will perform the ceremony tomorrow.
American English
- The mayor will perform the swearing-in at city hall.
adverb
British English
- He gestured performatively, as if on a stage.
American English
- She nodded performatively to signal her agreement to the cameras.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used critically, e.g., 'Their commitment to sustainability seemed performative, aimed at PR.'
Academic
Primary context. Central in linguistics, philosophy, gender studies, sociology, and cultural theory.
Everyday
Increasingly used in discussions of social media, politics, and identity, often critically.
Technical
In linguistics/philosophy: a precise term for a speech act like 'I promise.' In social theory: describing socially constructed actions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “performative”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “performative”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “performative”
- Using it as a simple synonym for 'theatrical' or 'exaggerated' without the constitutive 'doing' element.
- Confusing 'performative' (adj.) with 'performance' (noun) in adjective-noun collocations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used critically to imply insincerity, its core meaning is about 'doing' via saying/acting. A performative act can be sincere; its success is in its enactment, not its truth value.
'Theatrical' emphasises exaggerated display for an audience. 'Performative' emphasises the constitutive nature of the act—it creates a social fact or identity, regardless of flamboyance.
Originally, yes (speech acts). In extended social theory, gestures, rituals, and repeated behaviours are also described as performative because they construct social realities.
In linguistics, it's 'performative' (as a noun: 'That utterance is a performative'). In general use, 'performance' or 'performativity' (the abstract quality of being performative).
An adjective describing an utterance that constitutes the action it names.
Performative is usually academic, literary, social sciences, formal in register.
Performative: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈfɔːmətɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈfɔːrmətɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] purely performative”
- “performative wokeness”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PERFORMER on stage: a PERFORMATIVE utterance 'performs' an action just by being said.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS ACTION. SOCIETY IS A STAGE / IDENTITY IS A PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary critical discourse, calling something 'performative' often implies it is: