expression

[ ik-spresh-uhn ]

/ ɪkˈsprɛʃ ən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: expression / expressions / expressionless on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of expressing or setting forth in words: the free expression of political opinions.

a particular word, phrase, or form of words: old-fashioned expressions.

the manner or form in which a thing is expressed in words; wording; phrasing: delicacy of expression.

the power of expressing in words: joy beyond expression.

indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., as on the face, in the voice, or in artistic execution: the lyric expression embodied in his poetry.

a look or intonation expressing personal reaction, feeling, etc.: a shocked expression.

the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc.: a face that lacks expression; to read with expression.

the act of expressing or representing, as by symbols.

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

Linguistics. the stylistic characteristics of an utterance (opposed to meaning).

Linguistics. the system of verbal utterances specific to a language (opposed to content¹).

the act of expressing or pressing out.

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

Genetics.

the action of a gene in the production of a protein or a phenotype.
expressivity (def. 2).

OTHER WORDS FOR expression

1 utterance, declaration, assertion, statement.

2 term, idiom.

3 language, diction, phraseology.

5 manifestation, sign.

6 aspect, air.

See synonyms for expression on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of expression

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expressiōn- (stem of expressiō) “a pressing out.” See express, -ion

synonym study for expression

2. See phrase.

OTHER WORDS FROM expression

ex·pres·sion·al, adjectiveex·pres·sion·less, adjectiveex·pres·sion·less·ly, adverbpre·ex·pres·sion, noun

re·ex·pres·sion, nounsu·per·ex·pres·sion, noun

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

How to use expression in a sentence

The Board said it will prioritize cases that threaten to harm freedom of expression or human rights, but declined to comment on specific cases it plans to take.
Facebook’s independent oversight board is finally up and running|Shirin Ghaffary|October 22, 2020|Vox
Such as, to measure facial expressions in people who’ve suffered a stroke.
AI Reads Human Emotions. Should it?|Tate Ryan-Mosley|October 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review
However, it might just be one of many material expressions, not the ultimate principle by which the brain organizes its neural activity.
Our Mind-Boggling Sense of Smell - Issue 91: The Amazing Brain|Ann-Sophie Barwich|October 14, 2020|Nautilus
He partnered with Laney, who developed an algorithm that overlaid one face onto another while retaining the latter’s expressions.
Inside the strange new world of being a deepfake actor|Karen Hao|October 9, 2020|MIT Technology Review

Other major tools in your arsenal are your hand gestures and facial expressions.
These public speaking techniques can help you look smart on video calls|Sandra Gutierrez G.|October 6, 2020|Popular-Science
Thirty college presidents think this is splendid expressional activity.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various
Expressional activities are increasing in Negro colleges but with few exceptions these are inadequate in scope and number.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various
The expressional changes of pitch, which constitute the 'melody,' or the 'inflections' of the sentences, play an important part.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1|Various
He would have none of a formal and merely decorative beauty—a beauty serving no expressional need of the heart or the imagination.
Edward MacDowell|Lawrence Gilman
It now remains for us to examine the expressional activities of these students.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various

British Dictionary definitions for expression

expression

/ (ɪkˈsprɛʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of transforming ideas into words

a manifestation of an emotion, feeling, etc, without wordstears are an expression of grief

communication of emotion through music, painting, etc

a look on the face that indicates mood or emotiona joyful expression

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

a particular phrase used conventionally to express somethinga dialect expression

the act or process of forcing or squeezing out a liquid

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

genetics the effect of a particular gene on the phenotype

Derived forms of expression

expressional, adjectiveexpressionless, adjectiveexpressionlessly, adverb

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

expression

OTHER WORDS FOR expression

Origin of expression

synonym study for expression

OTHER WORDS FROM expression

Words related to expression

How to use expression in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for expression

Derived forms of expression