expression

[ ik-spresh-uhn ]

/ ɪkˈsprɛʃ ən /

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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

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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

So her nouveau is a poignant expression not just of this year’s harvest, but of the year itself.
We deserve ‘nouveau’ wine in 2020 — a vintage meant to be fun and drunk right away|Dave McIntyre|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Disembodied heads appear to be literally detached in several photos that simulate decapitation, a chilling visual expression of death.
For this artist and his girlfriend, life in lockdown became a creative opportunity|Mark Jenkins|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
It’s part of a movement to stop reflexively dismissing culture created for and by teenage girls and to instead celebrate that culture as its own form of aesthetic expression.
Why Britney Spears’s fans are convinced she’s being held captive|Constance Grady|November 11, 2020|Vox
The systems then try to find a correlation between the quantity and quality of these expressions and voting patterns.
Who does A.I. think will win today’s election?|Jeremy Kahn|November 3, 2020|Fortune

Now, anticipating a month that could bring about even more unrest, she harbors the same steady focus on the importance of free expression.
D.C. police and businesses prepare for possible Election Day unrest|Peter Hermann, Emily Davies|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Zaun sat on the bleachers with distraught looking supporters, his face set expressionless but colored crimson red.
The Bizarro World Of Iowa’s GOP Convention|Ben Jacobs|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the time Milke entered death row, she was 26 years old, tall and slender with expressionless blue eyes and permed brown hair.
Death Row Debbie Milke Could Soon Be Free|Terry Greene Sterling|May 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At the defense table, Sandusky stared expressionless at the former cop.
Jerry Sandusky Trial, Day Four: ‘Was Mrs. Sandusky Home?’|Diane Dimond|June 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One group known as Total Black was particularly ominous, dressed in all black with only their expressionless faces exposed.
Anarchists Hijack Rome Protests|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In photographs, he says, she sports one of those “blank, expressionless faces” that lack variety and emotion.
A Book About Boredom Is Anything But|Jeremy Axelrod|June 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Two expressionless faces, two pairs of unresponsive eyes, met his merry glance.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
“We will go back to the hotel,” repeated her husband, in his expressionless tones.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He gazed into the baby face, which, in its expressionless placidity, almost recalled her mother's tranquil sweetness.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
Its power was surely unnatural, and, combined with his now expressionless face, made upon her an effect that was painful.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Scattergood leaned forward, his round face, with its bulging cheeks, as expressionless as some particularly big and ruddy apple.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland

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