expressive

American  

[ik-spres-iv] / ɪkˈsprɛs ɪv /

adjective

1. full of expression; meaningful.

   an expressive shrug.

2. serving to express; indicative of power to express.

   a look expressive of gratitude.

3. of, relating to, or concerned with expression.

   Dance is a highly expressive art.

4. Sociology. (of a crowd or group) engaging in nonpurposeful activity of an expressive and often rhythmic nature, as weeping, dancing, or shouting.

5. Linguistics. of or relating to forms in which sounds denote a semantic field directly and nonarbitrarily, through sound symbolism based, to some degree, on synesthesia, as observable in onomatopoeia, rhyming and gradational compounds, and emotionally charged words such as hypocoristics and pejoratives.

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expressive British  

/ ɪkˈsprɛsɪv /

adjective

1. of, involving, or full of expression

2. indicative or suggestive (of)

   a look expressive of love

3. having a particular meaning, feeling, or force; significant

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Usage

What are other ways to say expressive?

Expressive gestures are full of meaning; expressive looks effectively convey an attitude or feeling. How is expressive different from synonyms meaningful, significant, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Synonym Usage

See eloquent ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overexpressiveness
  noun
• superexpressive
  adjective
• expressiveness
  noun
• nonexpressiveness
  noun
• expressively
  adverb
• superexpressively
  adverb
• superexpressiveness
  noun
• overexpressive
  adjective
• overexpressively
  adverb
• nonexpressive
  adjective
• nonexpressively
  adverb
• antiexpressiveness
  noun
• antiexpressively
  adverb
• antiexpressive
  adjective
• preexpressive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of expressive

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; see express, -ive

Explanation

Big smiles, loud crying, jumping for joy, and making crazy art are all expressive, which is to effectively show feelings. Anything that communicates thoughts or feelings is expressive. Expressive comes from the French word expres for "clear, plain.” It’s easy to read people who are expressive, their emotions are clear. Smiling, laughing, shouting, crying, and pouting are all expressive. So is art, whether it's music, sculpture, or writing. This is a word that applies to things that communicate. If you're not revealing how you feel, you're not being expressive.

Example Sentences

The horses are characterised by their "large size, long legs, well-developed musculature, slender and elegant head -- set on a long, straight neck -- expressive eyes, high withers and sturdy hooves," he added.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“Elements such as the staircase cherubs, vibrant patterned wallpaper, curved French patio doors, and the deeply personal, expressive touches throughout make the home both memorable and visually striking.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

“Gregory has always been the more grounded, measured type. And then Janine is naturally more whimsical, optimistic and quirky, so she carried the bigger, more expressive visual in the moment,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Anime’s visual attributes like large, expressive eyes, exaggerated hair and sharp lines look radically different from the typical Disney cartoon.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

She could learn to be a little more expressive from her cousin whose turn it now was to put a comforting hand on Briony’s shoulder.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• articulate
• artistic
• colorful
• dramatic
• eloquent
• energetic
• passionate
• poignant
• striking
• suggestive
• thoughtful
• vivid