expository

[ ik-spoz-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of the nature of exposition; serving to expound, set forth, or explain:

   an expository essay;

   expository writing.

expository

/ ɪkˈspɒzɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, or assisting in exposition; explanatory

Derived Forms

• exˈpositorily, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·posi·tori·ly ex·posi·tive·ly adverb
• semi·ex·posi·tive adjective
• semi·ex·posi·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expository¹

From the Medieval Latin word expositōrius, dating back to 1590–1600. See expositor, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Plus, coming into “Dune: Prophecy” as a stone-cold uninitiate is a challenge for which the script compensates using a combination of summary via narration and a brief, expository title card.

From Salon

Some of the dialogue is frankly expository, seemingly designed to educate viewers.

From New York Times

Herzog’s adaptation prunes away the expository overgrowth of Ibsen’s satiric drama.

From Los Angeles Times

There might be a little too much description, and long, learned, expository passages coming out of the mouths of police sergeants.

From Los Angeles Times

The choice to only gradually unfurl what’s going on — there are no clunky expository speeches here to establish the rules of the world for us — draws us in.

From New York Times