Words / B2

ik-SPRES-iv/ɪkˈspresɪv/

Expressive means showing thoughts or feelings clearly, especially in art, music, or the face: an expressive face; expressive of. Expression is the noun; eloquent is a speech twin; moving is everyday. Calling a performance expressive is not analysis; quote the dynamic or the line. Mix-up: expressive vs expensive; impressive; do not write expressive for a blank stage direction with no feeling named in the source.

Meaning

Showing thoughts or feelings clearly, especially in art, music, or the face.

Examples

• “Calling a performance expressive is not analysis; quote the dynamic or the line.”
• “Calling a performance expressive is not analysis; quote the dynamic or the line, the music paper said.”
• “An expressive portrait featured in the gallery notes, which is the art sense — still name the sitter or the medium.”

Good to know

an expressive + noun; expressive of. Noun: expression. Close: eloquent / moving. Trap: expensive. Music, art, and literature. Showing feeling clearly — quote the line, the dynamic, or the medium.

Near in meaning

eloquent, moving, demonstrative

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