adjective

expressive

ik-SPRES-iv/ɪkˈspresɪv/

Clearly showing or communicating thoughts, feelings, or meaning.

Her expressive face and open hands reveal her delighted surprise.

A close three-quarter portrait of a woman whose animated face and open hands unmistakably convey delighted surprise.

Etymology

exLatinout

+pressLatinto press

+iveFrenchtending to

Expressive first meant “tending to press out.” The underlying verb also meant represent or describe, and the adjective developed into “full of expression”—conveying feelings or meaning clearly.

In context

DW Documentary26:57

the right side of a person's face is more expressive than the left side therefore we instinctively focus on this right half when we want to understand the mood or feelings of our counterpart

Dogs & us - The secrets of an unbreakable friendship | DW Documentary

More examples

The actor's expressive eyes reveal his fear.
She writes in an expressive style that captures her grief.
His expressive gestures help the audience follow the story.

Forms

expressive

express verb — To communicate a thought or feeling.

expressiveness noun — The quality of clearly conveying feeling.

Similar words

eloquent: Conveys ideas or feelings with unusual clarity and force.
demonstrative: Openly displays feelings, especially affection, through words or actions.