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
This wine is typically expressive and aromatic on the nose, featuring aromas of black cherry, rose petal, and baking spice.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
More frustrating is that the actual racing sequences are less expressive than the dialogue scenes.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 June 2025
The way Chomet operates, the film’s personality comes across via the detailed and incredibly expressive faces, not the dialogue or its delivery.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 June 2025
For example, Johnson has embraced what art historians call gestural abstraction, a spontaneous style of smearing, pouring or dribbling paint on canvas, pioneered by artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, who also incorporated figures into his expressive technique.
—Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expressive
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
More frustrating is that the actual racing sequences are less expressive than the dialogue scenes.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 June 2025
The way Chomet operates, the film’s personality comes across via the detailed and incredibly expressive faces, not the dialogue or its delivery.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 June 2025
For example, Johnson has embraced what art historians call gestural abstraction, a spontaneous style of smearing, pouring or dribbling paint on canvas, pioneered by artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, who also incorporated figures into his expressive technique.
—Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 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 30 Jun. 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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