/ kənˈstrʌktɪv; NAmE / adjective
having a useful and helpful effect rather than being negative or with no purpose :
constructive criticism / suggestions / advice
His work involved helping hyperactive children to use their energy in a constructive way.
The government is encouraging all parties to play a constructive role in the reform process.
—compare destructive
► con·struct·ive·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense not obvious): from late Latin constructivus , from Latin construct- heap together, from the verb construere , from con- together + struere pile, build.