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

The Observer’s event coverage award was for the outlet’s expansive coverage of the plane crash that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others at Statesville Regional Airport. —Observer Staff Report, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

The Sphere gigs will continue the No Repeat Weekend tradition that began with the 2023 launch of their expansive M72 world tour, meaning fans can expect no songs repeated on each Thursday and Saturday throughout the run. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026

Kerr’s superstar point guard Steph Curry also joined an expansive group of NBA players who gave Adebayo his digital flowers on social media. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

The upper deck, meanwhile, is home a Jacuzzi and a spacious dining area, and the expansive foredeck can be transformed into a sunset lounge with ease under sail. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 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