expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

1

: having a capacity or a tendency to expand

2

: causing or tending to cause expansion

3

a

: characterized by high spirits, generosity, or readiness to talk : open

They grew expansive after dinner.

b

: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance

an expansive patient

4

: marked by expansion

especially : having a great expanse or extent : sizable, extensive

an expansive interpretation of the law

5

: characterized by richness, abundance, or magnificence

expansive living

expansive taste

expansively adverb

expansiveness noun

Synonyms of expansive

• extensive
• broad
• wide
• sweeping
• deep

Examples of expansive in a Sentence

He was unusually expansive at the press conference.

She was in an expansive mood.

The law was expansive in its scope.

a more expansive treatment of the topic

the hotel's expansive dining room

The house has expansive views of the valley.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stay in the breezy bungalows or cottages at The Lodge at Kukui'ula for proximity to the expansive pool area. —Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

Its sponsors explicitly advanced a vision of gender equality under the Fourteenth Amendment, one emerging from their constituents and more expansive than the Court’s. —Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026

Beverage director Will Patton is building an expansive (actual) martini program, complete with a large-format offering. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

The aft deck is home to an expansive beach club with a huge pool, fold-down bulwarks, and a wide swim platform, giving seafarers a spacious oasis right by the water’s edge. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

1

: having a capacity or a tendency to expand

gases are expansive

2

: causing or tending to cause expansion

an expansive force

3

: being in a good or talkative mood

4

: having considerable extent : broad

expansively adverb

expansiveness noun

Medical Definition

expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance

a patient with expansive trends

expansiveness

-nəs 

noun