con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

72 / 108

adjective

constructive

kuhn-STRUHK-tiv/kənˈstrʌktɪv/

Contributing to building or improving something.

The mentor offers constructive advice on improving the model bridge.

Older white mentor points to an improved bracing solution on young Black builder's model bridge.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+structLatinpile up, arrange, or build

+iveLatinhaving a quality or tendency

The roots evoke building by piling things together. From having the quality of constructing, constructive came to describe contributions that help build something up or improve it.

In context

The Scottish Parliament231:51

i've tried in the whole of this bill um to put forward amendments which i think are constructive and helpful and to improve the bill

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee - 19 June 2019

More examples

Constructive criticism helps me see how to improve my writing.
We have a constructive discussion about sharing household chores.
She plays a constructive role in rebuilding the neighborhood.

Forms

constructive · more constructive · most constructive

construct verb — To build or put something together.

constructively adverb — In a way that helps improve something.

Similar words

helpful: Emphasizes giving assistance, without necessarily improving what already exists.
productive: Emphasizes achieving useful results rather than suggesting specific improvements.