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
H. G. Wells3
: effectively conveying meaning or feeling
an expressive silence
expressive line drawings
expressively
adverb
expressiveness
noun
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
Hubbard and Baack filed a lawsuit in federal court in June 2024, arguing that yoga is not a commercial service but a form of expressive activity protected by the First Amendment.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
The collections reflected a sense of liberation in dressing, where bold color, fluid silhouettes and eclectic styling encouraged customers to embrace a more individual and expressive way of building their wardrobes.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Kicking off Fashion Month in New York, editors, buyers, and other industry creatives showed how people really dress, and naturally, Vogue’s very own led the way by staying true to their personal style and proving that fashion can be both expressive and lived-in.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025
Turner also inspired subsequent generations of painters with his expressive use of light, Stein said.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expressive
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Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
The collections reflected a sense of liberation in dressing, where bold color, fluid silhouettes and eclectic styling encouraged customers to embrace a more individual and expressive way of building their wardrobes.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Kicking off Fashion Month in New York, editors, buyers, and other industry creatives showed how people really dress, and naturally, Vogue’s very own led the way by staying true to their personal style and proving that fashion can be both expressive and lived-in.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025
Turner also inspired subsequent generations of painters with his expressive use of light, Stein said.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expressive
Cite this Entry
“Expressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expressive. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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