Expression
/ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe act of conveying ideas or feelings, often through words, actions, or art.
/ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
The process of making known one's thoughts or feelings.
The artist's paintings were a powerful expression of his inner turmoil.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're really excited about a new toy. An expression is how you *show* that excitement, like shouting with joy, or making a big happy face! It's about sharing what you're feeling or thinking.
👶 For kids: When you show how you feel, like smiling when you're happy or frowning when you're sad. That's an expression!
More Examples
She found writing to be a good expression for her frustrations.
His facial expression betrayed his true feelings.
How It's Used
"Her expression of joy was evident."
"The study examined the expression of emotions in different cultures."
A facial appearance or demeanor that conveys a particular emotion or thought.
/ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
A look on a person's face.
Her expression was one of pure delight.
💡 Simply: Picture someone's face when they're happy, sad, or surprised. That face itself, or the look on their face, is their expression. It gives you a clue about how they're feeling.
👶 For kids: The way your face looks! Like a smile when you're happy or a frown when you're mad.
More Examples
He had a puzzled expression on his face.
The news brought a look of concern and a frown to her expression.
How It's Used
"His expression revealed his surprise."
"She wore a stern expression on her face."
A word or phrase that communicates a particular idea or feeling; a way of saying something.
/ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
A particular word or phrase.
"Have a nice day" is a common expression.
💡 Simply: It's like a way of saying something, a specific set of words. Like, instead of saying "I am very happy," you could say "I'm over the moon!" - both are expressions.
👶 For kids: A special set of words that means something. Like, "What's up?" is an expression.
More Examples
He used a vivid expression to describe the scene.
That is a clever expression.
How It's Used
"The phrase is a common expression."
"This is a more sophisticated expression."
The act of forcing or squeezing something out.
/ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
The act of squeezing out something.
The expression of oil from the seeds was crucial.
💡 Simply: When you squeeze something to get something else out of it. Like when you squeeze oranges to get the juice, that's expression
👶 For kids: When you squeeze something to get juice out!
More Examples
The expression of the juice required a strong press.
The expression of the compound was slow and consistent.
How It's Used
"The expression of juice from the oranges."
"The expression of a compound."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
freedom of expression
The right to express one's opinions freely.
"The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression."
facial expression
The expression conveyed by someone's face.
"His facial expression showed his shock."
From Latin expressio, from exprimere ('to press out, represent'), from ex- ('out') + premere ('to press').
The word 'expression' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to the act of pressing out a substance. Its meaning evolved to include conveying ideas and feelings.
Memory tip
Think of "express" - to bring something *out* from within.
Word Origin
"to press out, represent"