expressivity
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being expressive.
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Genetics. the degree to which a particular gene produces its effect in an organism.
noun
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(esp of a work of art) the quality of being expressive
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genetics the strength of the effect of a gene on the phenotype
Etymology
Origin of expressivity
From the German word Expressivität, dating back to 1930–35. See expressive, -ity
Compare meaning
How does expressivity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Haunting and powerful, her paintings, particularly those from the past decade, reveal her strong affinity with Egon Schiele, Edvard Munch, Francis Bacon and other artists who rendered the human form with febrile expressivity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
“Admittedly, Crumb has ‘reintroduced’ expressivity to avant-garde concerts, which comes as a quaintness to blasé ears,” he wrote, “but his music is nothing more than expressivity — hanging unqualified in air.”
From Washington Post ● Nov. 21, 2022
The idea that people are discovering their sexuality and their expressivity online is a beautiful thing.
From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2022
Cellists tend to seek, with powerful expressivity, a theatrical narrative.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2022
The avatars will also be able to animate the movement of a mouth when a microphone picks up the user speaking, to "bring additional expressivity", he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2021
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.
