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

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

• 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 upper deck cockpit is outfitted with sofas for sky-high lounging, while the sundeck is set up for dining underneath the expansive hardtop. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025

Last night, Vogue World 2025 took over the famed Paramount lot to explore the expansive relationship between fashion and film. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025

Bouwer credits his collaborators for helping walk the film’s tricky tightrope of making a largely two-hander feel expansive. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025

Today, Folsom is known for its upscale neighborhoods, recreational lake and expansive shopping centers, but echoes from California’s frontier spirit still linger — especially at Matt Garry’s home. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 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