expository

adjective

ex·​pos·​i·​to·​ry ik-ˈspä-zə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or containing exposition

expository writing

Synonyms of expository

• interpretive
• interpretative
• illustrative
• explanative

Examples of expository in a Sentence

an expository piece on the workings of the internal-combustion engine

Recent Examples on the Web

As the main story gets under way, there’s barely enough time for Livingston, Bilson and Jewkes to deliver their expository introductions before Mark almost plows into Santa, setting an ominous tone for their move to the suburbs. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

So far, his scheming hasn’t been all that productive, and with Saeed inching into the case, Johnny is more likely to get benched with Molly, who’s mostly there to say lines of expository dialogue, bless her. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Enter veteran character actor Lin Shaye, whose psychic Elise has been a series mainstay and a reliable provider of expository dialogue, despite the fact that her character died at the end of the 2011 original. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The acting is passable, more or less, but dialogue is often rigidly expository or cliché or both. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for expository

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory