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

Bolton’s is a much more expansive view of the corporeal than the fashion industry itself often promotes, with its rail-thin models and narrow size ranges. —Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025

Film Festival opened this year not by looking outward, but inward, highlighting the expansive archive of Egyptian classics undergoing restoration. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2025

Estis, who enlisted the help of a second law student to draft the appeal, worked as a field representative for Turning Point during his time as an undergraduate at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and has stayed in contact with leaders of the expansive conservative organization. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Stretching across an expansive tomato farm under the blazing Turkey sun, Murat Fıratoğlu’s opening shot to his award-winning One of Those Days When Hemme Dies is purposefully striking. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

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