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

Example Sentences

The poem proceeds by image and association rather than expository logic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

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

Mozart, 11 years younger, grills Boulogne about his life story, and he responds with long, expository answers that hit on major biographical points — more school lecture than beguiling drama.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 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