self-expression

American  

[self-ik-spresh-uhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪkˈsprɛʃ ən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. the expression or assertion of one's own personality, as in conversation, behavior, poetry, or painting.

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self-expression British  

noun

1. the expression of one's own personality, feelings, etc, as in painting, poetry, or other creative activity

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-expressive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-expression

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Here, it’s a bridge between people, a tool for self-expression, a way to understand your own taste and increasingly, a reason to connect.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

It is that fandom, companionship, self-expression, and immersive experiences are becoming more formalized parts of the consumption story.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

“Marc by Sofia” is a deceptively heartwarming ode to self-expression, and the kind of life that can be cobbled together with an unyielding commitment to individuality.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Instead, it aims to be a company that encourages consumers’ self-expression, a goal that was informed by those Gen Z interviews, according to Silverstein.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

I don’t want a child who feeds on praise and expects a star for effort and talks back to adults in the name of self-expression.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie