expressive

expressive — adjective

1. describes a person who naturally shows their thoughts and emotions clearly throu

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a person who naturally shows their thoughts and emotions clearly through their facial expressions, voice, or body movements — without hiding or holding back.

Example

Tamar is very expressive when she tells stories — her whole face lights up.

describes a person's natural storytelling manner

The children's expressive paintings showed exactly how they felt about leaving their old neighbourhood.

collocation: expressive paintings/drawings

Common collocations
  • expressive face
  • expressive eyes
  • expressive voice
  • expressive hands
  • expressive style
  • highly expressive
  • very expressive
  • expressive gestures
Synonyms
  • demonstrative

    More specific — focuses on openly showing affection (hugs, praise, touch) rather than all emotions

  • emotional

    Can carry a negative connotation of being easily upset; 'expressive' is neutral

  • animated

    Emphasises lively energy and movement rather than emotional depth

  • eloquent

    More formal; typically refers to powerful speech or writing, not facial expression

Antonyms
  • inexpressive

    Direct opposite — shows little or no emotion through face or voice

  • reserved

    Describes someone who keeps feelings private by choice, not because they lack expressiveness

  • impassive

    More formal; describes a face that shows no emotion, often in a controlled or professional context

Usage Note

Typically describes a person's general nature or style of communication, not a single temporary action. Compare: 'an expressive child' (sense 1 — a naturally open child) vs. 'a look expressive of doubt' (sense 2 — a momentary look that conveys a specific feeling).

Common Mistakes

She was very expressive of her feelings.
She was very expressive about her feelings.
Sense 1 takes 'about' to introduce the topic; 'expressive of' is the pattern for sense 2.
His expressive look worried me.' (when the intended meaning is sense 1)
He has an expressive face.
A single 'look' belongs to sense 2; sense 1 describes a person's lasting trait.

2. describes something — a glance, tone of voice, or creative work — that makes a s

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes something — a glance, tone of voice, or creative work — that makes a specific emotion or trait clearly felt by others, most often in the pattern 'expressive of [emotion/quality]'.

Example

The artist's choice of colours was expressive of a sadness she rarely showed in public.

grammar pattern: expressive of + [emotion]

Jude spoke with a careful calm that was expressive of deep respect for his audience.

grammar pattern: expressive of + [quality]

Common collocations
  • expressive of
Synonyms
  • indicative

    More factual and less emotional — suggests a sign or evidence rather than a deliberate expression

  • suggestive

    Implies something is hinted at rather than clearly shown; less direct than 'expressive'

  • reflective

    Suggests that something mirrors or represents a quality; slightly more abstract

Grammar Patterns

expressive of + [emotion/quality]

Usage Note

Most common in the formal pattern 'expressive of + [emotion/quality]', which distinguishes this sense from sense 1. Sense 2 describes a specific action, look, or creation that reflects a quality — not the person's overall nature.

Common Mistakes

His face was expressive' (when the intended meaning is sense 2)
His face was expressive of deep concern.
Without 'of + quality', the meaning shifts to sense 1 (he naturally shows feelings).
She is expressive of happiness.
Her smile was expressive of happiness.
Sense 2 describes a specific thing (smile, voice, painting), not a person directly.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe ways of showing feelings, but they differ in scope and register. 'Expressive' is the broadest and most neutral term — it simply means thoughts or emotions are clearly communicated through face, voice, or gestures. 'Demonstrative' specifically describes a person who openly shows affection through physical closeness or praise, while 'expressive' covers any emotion. 'Emotional' focuses on being easily moved to strong feelings, sometimes carrying a negative tone of being overly reactive. 'Eloquent' is more formal and refers to clear, powerful expression — usually in speech or writing — rather than facial or bodily cues. 'Animated' describes lively, energetic movement and speech, suggesting enthusiasm rather than emotional depth. For example: Tamar tells stories in an animated way, using her whole body, while an eloquent speaker moves an audience through well-chosen words, and an expressive person may simply let their face show what they feel.

demonstrativeemotional ↗eloquentanimated

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • expressive of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin word 'expressus', meaning 'pressed out' — formed from 'ex-' (out) and 'premere' (to press). It was first used in English in the 1400s to mean 'clearly stated' (an 'express order'). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'pressed out in words' to 'full of feeling', so that by the 1700s an 'expressive face' meant a face that lets emotions show, as if feelings are being pressed outward.