exclamatory

American  

[ik-sklam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪkˈsklæm əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. using, containing, or expressing exclamation.

   an exclamatory sentence.

2. pertaining to exclamation.

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exclamatory British  

/ -trɪ, ɪkˈsklæmətərɪ /

adjective

1. using, containing, or relating to exclamations

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Other Word Forms

• exclamatorily adverb
• nonexclamatory adjective

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."

Example Sentences

His baritone voice booming and frequently punching a fist or two in the air to add emphasis, Sterling explained the origin of his signature, exclamatory home run calls.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2024

Strout’s latest novel, ‘Oh, William!,’ her third about the successful and heavily burdened Lucy Barton, is somehow both exclamatory and plainspoken.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2022

For Maryland, that featured Julian Reese’s most significant action, with two exclamatory dunks and six total points.

From Washington Times • Feb. 24, 2022

Have you noticed people adding an extra syllable to words—“room-uh,” “man-uh” and “babe-uh”? That’s an exclamatory syllable, and John McWhorter knows where it comes from.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2018

Ovid’s account shows him at his worst, sentimental and exclamatory.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton