Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for self-expression. Search instead for self-expressions.

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.


self-expression British  

noun

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of self-expression

First recorded in 1890–95

Vocabulary lists containing self-expression

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.

See Examples For:

Like all personal collections, Monroe’s was a form of self-expression.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 5, 2026

But she added that it can also play an important role in children's lives "by supporting communication, self-expression, access to information, participation, play, and connection with communities and support networks".

From BBC May 29, 2026

“Now a lot of people want self-expression out of drag. They want to portray their own artistic talent through drag, rather than just emulating someone.”

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 30, 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

And the point was not self-expression alone but to make oneself understood by many others.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training