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Synonyms

expression

American  
[ik-spresh-uhn] / ɪkˈsprɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. the act of expressing or setting forth in words.

    the free expression of political opinions.

    Synonyms:
    statement, assertion, declaration, utterance
  2. a particular word, phrase, or form of words.

    old-fashioned expressions.

    Synonyms:
    idiom, term
  3. the manner or form in which a thing is expressed in words; wording; phrasing.

    delicacy of expression.

    Synonyms:
    phraseology, diction, language
  4. the power of expressing in words.

    joy beyond expression.

  5. 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
  6. a look or intonation expressing personal reaction, feeling, etc..

    a shocked expression.

    Synonyms:
    air, aspect
  7. the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc..

    a face that lacks expression; to read with expression.

  8. the act of expressing or representing, as by symbols.

  9. Mathematics. a symbol or a combination of symbols representing a value, relation, or the like.

  10. Linguistics. the stylistic characteristics of an utterance (meaning ).

  11. Linguistics. the system of verbal utterances specific to a language (content ).

  12. the act of expressing or pressing out.

  13. Computers. a combination of variables, constants, and functions linked by operation symbols and any required punctuation that describe a rule for calculating a value.

  14. Genetics.

    1. the action of a gene in the production of a protein or a phenotype.

    2. expressivity.


expression British  
/ ɪkˈsprɛʃən /

noun

  1. the act or an instance of transforming ideas into words

  2. a manifestation of an emotion, feeling, etc, without words

    tears are an expression of grief

  3. communication of emotion through music, painting, etc

  4. a look on the face that indicates mood or emotion

    a joyful expression

  5. the choice of words, phrases, syntax, intonation, etc, in communicating

  6. a particular phrase used conventionally to express something

    a dialect expression

  7. the act or process of forcing or squeezing out a liquid

  8. maths a variable, function, or some combination of constants, variables, or functions

  9. genetics the effect of a particular gene on the phenotype

"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

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.

Speaking to BBC Woman's Hour on Wednesday, Wallace said "they're calling him out specifically, as opposed to a general expression of concern for the survivors, which they had already done".

From BBC

“Freedom of expression is no longer the main issue,” said Mahfuz Anam, longtime editor of the Daily Star, after the attack on his newspaper.

From The Wall Street Journal

His cheery voice is as fake as his expression.

From Literature

For a moment she stared blankly at Jonn, Marlie, and Rowan, as.though wondering why they were there, then her expression sharpened, and she waved her hand at them impatiently.

From Literature

She encouraged wearing the outfit "in all its diverse forms, designs, and expressions, complemented by its distinctive and beautiful accessories".

From BBC