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expressive

[ik-spres-iv] / ɪkˈsprɛs ɪv /


Usage

What are other ways to say expressive? The adjective expressive suggests conveying, or being capable of conveying, a thought, intention, emotion, etc., in an effective or vivid manner: an expressive gesture. Meaningful and significant imply an underlying and unexpressed thought whose existence is plainly shown although its precise nature is left to conjecture. Meaningful implies a secret and intimate understanding between the persons involved: Meaningful looks passed between them. Significant suggests conveying important or hidden meaning: On hearing this statement, he gave the officers a significant glance. Suggestive implies an indirect or covert conveying of a meaning, sometimes mentally stimulating, sometimes verging on impropriety or indecency: a suggestive story or remark.

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:

Yet even Bergman’s most schematic films—the ones in which ideas seem to drive him as much as mood, style or plot—make expressive use of cinema’s aesthetic vocabulary: light, composition, sometimes color, always sound or music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

"Phew! What scorchers" is the paper's expressive take.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

District Judge Rita F. Lin of the Northern District of California said in her decision that the government had illegally retaliated against Anthropic, deeming it a supply-chain risk “for constitutionally protected expressive activities.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

While the coyote’s expressive yellow eyes nearly make you sniffle, he remains a carnivore with sharp black claws.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Children’s expression of emotional meaning in music through expressive body movement Journal of Non-verbal Behavior.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin




Vocabulary lists containing expressive


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