exclamatory
Americanadjective
-
using, containing, or expressing exclamation.
an exclamatory sentence.
-
pertaining to exclamation.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exclamatory
1585–95; < Latin exclāmāt ( us ) called out ( see exclamation) + -ory 1
Explanation
Something that's exclamatory is full of very strong emotion, like enthusiasm or surprise. Your grandmother might give an exclamatory cry when you arrive at her house unannounced. You can express exclamatory praise for a movie you absolutely loved, or give an exclamatory gasp when you walk into your own surprise party. When something's exclamatory, it's like an exclamation, or a "sudden cry of emotion." Both words come from the Latin exclamare, "to call out," which consists of the prefix ex-, "out," and clamare, "cry or shout."
Vocabulary lists containing exclamatory
Week 1 Vocabulary
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Conventions, Writing, and Speaking & Listening, Unit 3
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Conventions, Writing, and Speaking & Listening, Unit 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“An Exclamatory Playlist!” track list Track 1: Wham!,
From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2023
Exclamatory - she knew how to tell a good story and was never less than flabbergasted by insignificant event - but not demonstrative.
From BBC • May 23, 2020
Exclamatory Sentence is one that expresses sudden thought or strong feeling+.
From Graded Lessons in English An Elementary English Grammar Consisting of One Hundred Practical Lessons, Carefully Graded and Adapted to the Class-Room by Reed, Alonzo
Exclamatory Sentence is one that expresses sudden thought or strong feeling.+
From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd
Exclamatory Expressions must be followed by the exclamation point.+
From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
