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
The American soprano Brenda Rae, as Stockmann’s supportive daughter, Petra, managed to hold her own, combining brilliant high notes with an expressive chest-voice.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Also, with planets in Sagittarius, crowding your expressive fifth house of love, creativity and dating, your sass is turned all the way up this month.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Brought to the archipelago by the Dutch through German Lieder as early as the 16th century, seriosa evolved into a refined and expressive form that fused Western vocal techniques with Indonesian languages, values and nationalistic themes.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Nov. 2025
The ones made by Graf Lantz have a tidy, contemporary look that plays well with both bold and restrained design preferences, and come in an expressive melange of colors and shapes.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expressive
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Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Also, with planets in Sagittarius, crowding your expressive fifth house of love, creativity and dating, your sass is turned all the way up this month.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Brought to the archipelago by the Dutch through German Lieder as early as the 16th century, seriosa evolved into a refined and expressive form that fused Western vocal techniques with Indonesian languages, values and nationalistic themes.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Nov. 2025
The ones made by Graf Lantz have a tidy, contemporary look that plays well with both bold and restrained design preferences, and come in an expressive melange of colors and shapes.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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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