expressive

[ ik-spres-iv ]

adjective

1. full of expression; meaningful:

   an expressive shrug.

2. serving to express; indicative of power to express:

   a look expressive of gratitude.

3. of, relating to, or concerned with expression:

   Dance is a highly expressive art.

4. Sociology. (of a crowd or group) engaging in nonpurposeful activity of an expressive and often rhythmic nature, as weeping, dancing, or shouting. Compare active ( def 15 ), orgiastic ( def 3 ).
5. Linguistics. of or relating to forms in which sounds denote a semantic field directly and nonarbitrarily, through sound symbolism based, to some degree, on synesthesia, as observable in onomatopoeia, rhyming and gradational compounds, and emotionally charged words such as hypocoristics and pejoratives.

expressive

/ ɪkˈsprɛsɪv /

adjective

1. of, involving, or full of expression
2. postpositivefoll byof indicative or suggestive (of)

   a look expressive of love

3. having a particular meaning, feeling, or force; significant

Derived Forms

• exˈpressiveness, noun
• exˈpressively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·pressive·ly adverb
• ex·pressive·ness noun
• anti·ex·pressive adjective
• anti·ex·pressive·ly adverb
• anti·ex·pressive·ness noun
• nonex·pressive adjective
• nonex·pressive·ly adverb
• nonex·pressive·ness noun
• over·ex·pressive adjective
• over·ex·pressive·ly adverb
• over·ex·pressive·ness noun
• preex·pressive adjective
• super·ex·pressive adjective
• super·ex·pressive·ly adverb
• super·ex·pressive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expressive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; express, -ive

Synonym Study

See eloquent ( def ).

Example Sentences

The costumes of Naomi Yoshida deserve their own glossy catalog, so vibrant are the colors and so expressive the silhouettes.

From Los Angeles Times

Those who have covered Nuno at either Wolves, Spurs or now Forest know he is not the most expressive in news conferences.

From BBC

Milioti’s eyes often figure into critical appraisals of her work, which can’t be helped when evaluating someone with such a prominent and expressive feature.

From Salon

“Having a ballot line is a way for voters in New York State to have a more expressive vote,” Archilla said.

From Salon

“She writes from a deep, artistic, expressive place,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• articulate
• artistic
• colorful
• dramatic
• eloquent
• energetic
• passionate
• poignant
• striking
• suggestive
• thoughtful
• vivid

When To Use

What are other ways to say expressive?

Expressive gestures are full of meaning; expressive looks effectively convey an attitude or feeling. How is expressive different from synonyms meaningful, significant, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com.