expansive

[ ik-span-siv ]

/ ɪkˈspæn sɪv /

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See synonyms for: expansive / expansively / expansiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having a wide range or extent; comprehensive; extensive: expansive mountain scenery.

(of a person's character or speech) effusive, unrestrained, free, or open: Our expansive host welcomed us warmly.

tending to expand or capable of expanding.

causing expansion: the expansive force of heat.

working by expansion, as an engine.

Psychiatry. marked by an abnormal euphoric state and by delusions of grandeur.

OTHER WORDS FOR expansive

2 sociable, extroverted, outgoing, genial, unreserved; gushy, gushing,

See synonyms for expansive on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of expansive

First recorded in 1645–55; expans(ion) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM expansive

ex·pan·sive·ly, adverbex·pan·sive·ness, nounnon·ex·pan·sive, adjectivenon·ex·pan·sive·ness, noun

o·ver·ex·pan·sive, adjectiveo·ver·ex·pan·sive·ness, nounun·ex·pan·sive, adjectiveun·ex·pan·sive·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH expansive

expansive , expensive

Words nearby expansive

expansionism, expansion joint, expansion slot, expansion team, expansion wave, expansive, expansive bit, expansive classification, expansively, expansivity, ex parte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use expansive in a sentence

Particles were out, and fields — expansive, undulating entities that fill space like an ocean — were in.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics|Charlie Wood|September 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
It is the perfect geographical recipe for creating expansive wetlands—and therefore the perfect habitat for star-nosed moles.
How to hunt for star-nosed moles (and their holes)|Kenneth Catania|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
They chose these states because of their expansive and high-quality highway systems, good weather, and large trucking industry.
Waymo Just Started Testing Its Driverless Trucks in Texas|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|August 27, 2020|Singularity Hub
After all, under an expansive view of “most valuable,” there can be more candidates from which to choose.
MVP Voting Has Never Been More Boring|Owen Phillips|August 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Fuel oil began to leak into the expansive turquoise blue lagoon outside the coastal village of Mahébourg.
Mauritius is reeling from a devastating oil spill and fears of an ecological disaster|Adam Moolna|August 12, 2020|Quartz
Like the Scarlett Johansson-voiced operating system in Her, she just became too expansive for you.
Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent?|David Yaffe|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hedwig calls on me to have a much more expansive energy—not so interior.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At such low numbers, we could afford to feel expansive toward foreigners.
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has Ended|Nick Gillespie|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During our interview, he was intense, fast, generous with his time, and thoughtful and expansive with his answers.
Daniel Radcliffe: I’m Richer Than One Direction|Tim Teeman|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The secrecy surrounding LRS-B is more expansive than any aircraft program of its size since the 1980s.
Is the Pentagon’s $55 Billion Stealth Bomber Too Big a Secret?|Bill Sweetman|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The drawing shows the simplicity of parts of this highly expansive steam-engine, beginning the up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The Herland 33-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam puffer-engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 150 lbs.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The Wheal Prosper 16-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam vacuum engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The principle of expansive working and momentum of moving parts was of necessity modified in its application to pump-work.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The valve open while the plunger-pole ascended 20 inches, then went the remainder of the 10-feet stroke expansive.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for expansive

expansive

/ (ɪkˈspænsɪv) /

adjective

able or tending to expand or characterized by expansion

wide; extensive

friendly, open, or talkativean expansive person

grand or extravagantan expansive way of life

psychiatry lacking restraint in the expression of feelings, esp in having delusions of grandeur or being inclined to overvalue oneself or one's work

Derived forms of expansive

expansively, adverbexpansiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

expansive

OTHER WORDS FOR expansive

Origin of expansive

OTHER WORDS FROM expansive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH expansive

Words nearby expansive

Words related to expansive

How to use expansive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for expansive

Derived forms of expansive