expression
Americannoun
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the act of expressing or setting forth in words.
the free expression of political opinions.
- Synonyms:
- statement, assertion, declaration, utterance
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a particular word, phrase, or form of words.
old-fashioned expressions.
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the manner or form in which a thing is expressed in words; wording; phrasing.
delicacy of expression.
- Synonyms:
- phraseology, diction, language
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the power of expressing in words.
joy beyond expression.
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indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., as on the face, in the voice, or in artistic execution.
the lyric expression embodied in his poetry.
- Synonyms:
- sign, manifestation
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a look or intonation expressing personal reaction, feeling, etc..
a shocked expression.
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the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc..
a face that lacks expression; to read with expression.
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the act of expressing or representing, as by symbols.
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Mathematics. a symbol or a combination of symbols representing a value, relation, or the like.
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Linguistics. the stylistic characteristics of an utterance (meaning ).
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Linguistics. the system of verbal utterances specific to a language (content ).
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the act of expressing or pressing out.
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Computers. a combination of variables, constants, and functions linked by operation symbols and any required punctuation that describe a rule for calculating a value.
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Genetics.
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the action of a gene in the production of a protein or a phenotype.
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noun
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the act or an instance of transforming ideas into words
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a manifestation of an emotion, feeling, etc, without words
tears are an expression of grief
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communication of emotion through music, painting, etc
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a look on the face that indicates mood or emotion
a joyful expression
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the choice of words, phrases, syntax, intonation, etc, in communicating
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a particular phrase used conventionally to express something
a dialect expression
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the act or process of forcing or squeezing out a liquid
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maths a variable, function, or some combination of constants, variables, or functions
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genetics the effect of a particular gene on the phenotype
Related Words
See phrase.
Other Word Forms
- expressional adjective
- expressionless adjective
- expressionlessly adverb
- preexpression noun
- reexpression noun
- superexpression noun
Etymology
Origin of expression
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expressiōn- (stem of expressiō ) “a pressing out.” See express, -ion
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.
This movie was about freedom and about expression and about love of a parent and a daughter.”
From Los Angeles Times
There was the neatly coiffed hair, the nicely fitting suit, the smartly positioned tie, even the painfully stern expression from a guy who left no doubt who was running the show.
From Los Angeles Times
His innocent smiles and genial facial expressions won over millions of viewers.
From Barron's
Musically, trot is defined by its frequent use of minor scales and a distinctive vocal style marked by heavy vibrato and kkeokgi - a technique that bends notes to heighten emotional expression.
From BBC
Plans to hold a series of festivals in Brockwell Park look set to be approved, despite the application receiving more than three times as many objections as expressions of support.
From BBC
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.