EXPRESSIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does expressive mean? 

• EXPRESSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective EXPRESSIVE has 1 sense:

1. characterized by expression

  Familiarity information: EXPRESSIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPRESSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by expression

Context example:

a very expressive face

Similar:

communicative; communicatory (able or tending to communicate)

Derivation:

express (articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise)

express (give expression to)

express (serve as a means for expressing something)

expressiveness (the quality of being expressive)

 Context examples 

He had told us as much by his expressive language of signs.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The word is strongly expressive in their language, but not easily rendered into English; it signifies, “to retire to his first mother.”

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

A disorder characterized by an impairment in the development of an individual's expressive language which is in contrast to his/her nonverbal intellect and receptive language development.

(Expressive Language Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Amazement and fear were stamped upon his expressive features.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

American slang is very expressive sometimes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I was obliged to consider a little before I understood what Mr. Peggotty meant by this figure, expressive of a complete circle of intelligence.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A disorder characterized by an impairment in the development of an individual's expressive and receptive language capabilities which is in contrast to his/her nonverbal intellect.

(Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

Mrs. Reed answered for me by an expressive shake of the head, adding soon, "Perhaps the less said on that subject the better, Mr. Brocklehurst."

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I gathered from the smile which flitted over Sheridan’s expressive face that this was exactly what Pitt did do.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)