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

• self-expressive adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-expression

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The film is also 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

“Anecdotally, people are kind of bored by the clean, no-frills makeup look” and are into more creative, bolder looks as a means of self-expression, she said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 7, 2026

But our findings suggest that for many Americans, the “life” side is actually self-care and self-expression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

The event is more than a party, it is a spectacle: part red carpet; part social milestone and for many young women - a powerful moment of self-expression.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Though I had never had any assignments from a college professor, I had made much harder and more prolonged attempts at self-expression than any of them.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright