expressive

adjective

ex·​pres·​sive ik-ˈspre-siv 

1

: of or relating to expression

the expressive function of language

2

: serving to express, utter, or represent

… foul and novel terms expressive of rage.

—H. G. Wells

3

: effectively conveying meaning or feeling

an expressive silence

expressive line drawings

expressively adverb

expressiveness noun

Synonyms of expressive

• eloquent
• suggestive
• revealing
• meaningful
• meaning

Examples of expressive in a Sentence

the expressive function of language

the teacher's expressive sigh showed that she had heard that excuse many times before

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Crutch does not anticipate millennial men being so emotionally expressive. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025

With their large hands and expressive, doleful faces, the great apes are often depicted as the poster children for experimentation. —Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

But having the freedom to let the music breathe and develop allows the score to feel emotionally expressive, and never didactic. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025

Elegant, confident and eternally expressive, both make a stylish pair, effortlessly turning heads while basking in the adoration. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expressive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

Kids Definition

expressive

adjective

ex·​pres·​sive ik-ˈspres-iv 

1

: of or relating to expression

2

: serving to express

3

: full of expression

also : openly expressing one's feelings

an expressive face

expressively adverb

expressiveness noun

Legal Definition

expressive

adjective

ex·​pres·​sive

1

: of or relating to expression

2

: serving to express or represent

expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment

expressively adverb

expressiveness noun