expository

American  

[ik-spoz-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪkˈspɒz ɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

Also expositive

adjective

1. of the nature of exposition; serving to expound, set forth, or explain.

   an expository essay;

   expository writing.

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expository British  

/ ɪkˈspɒzɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, or assisting in exposition; explanatory

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Other Word Forms

• expositively adverb
• expositorily adverb
• semiexpositive adjective
• semiexpository adjective

Etymology

Origin of expository

From the Medieval Latin word expositōrius, dating back to 1590–1600. See expositor, -tory ¹

Explanation

The first few minutes of a first date typically consist of expository chit-chat, meaning that that's when people fill each other in on the basics: where they're from, what they studied in school, and what they want to be when they grow up. It's background info. A synonym for expository is explanatory. It might help to relate the words, as expository dialogue usually exists to give the audience an explanation of a character's previous actions. The challenge for a playwright is to communicate exposition by crafting expository dialogue that isn't boring. It's often a sign of amateur writing when the expository information stands out as just that. The experienced writer can hide the expository information inside the action and other speeches.

Example Sentences

There is an almost complete absence of expository dialogue.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025

With judicious trimming, particularly of the occasional puddle of expository or repetitive dialogue, the play would gain a tauter pace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

Our first indication that he might not be like the other goons with badges is shown in his expository flashback.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

Plus, coming into “Dune: Prophecy” as a stone-cold uninitiate is a challenge for which the script compensates using a combination of summary via narration and a brief, expository title card.

From Salon • Nov. 17, 2024

Structural parallelism works not just in poetic and hortatory passages but also in ordinary expository prose.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker