Performative-utterance Definition

noun

(philosophy, linguistics) A sentence or other linguistic expression which, when expressed in an appropriate context, actually does or accomplishes something.

Famous examples of performative utterances are "I now pronounce you husband and wife" (when uttered by the authorized officiator during a marriage ceremony) or "You're fired!" (when exclaimed by an employer terminating a person's employment).
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Performative-utterance

Noun

Singular:
performative-utterance
Plural:
performative utterances

Origin of Performative-utterance

  • Coined by philosopher J. L. Austin (1911-1960).

    From Wiktionary

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