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Prescriptive vs Guideline - What's the difference?

prescriptive | guideline |

As an adjective prescriptive

is of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.

As a noun guideline is

a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.

prescriptive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.
  • *
    • For one thing, spoken language tends to be less subjected to prescriptive
    pressures than written language, and hence is a less artificial medium of com-
    munication (written language is often a kind of 'censored' version of spoken
    language). [...]

    Synonyms

    * normative

    Antonyms

    * descriptive (especially of grammar and usage) * proscriptive

    Derived terms

    * prescriptiveness

    Related terms

    * prescribe * prescription * prescriptive ethics * prescriptivism * prescriptivist * prescriptivity

    guideline

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
    • He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.
  • A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
  • A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.

    • Synonyms

    * (non-specific rule) rule of thumb * (plan or explanation) rule of thumb