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expression

ex·pres·sion

expression

 
 
pronunciation:
ihk spre shn
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act, process, or result of making thoughts or feelings known, esp. in words.
In a rare expression of his feelings, he told his wife how much he needed her.It's usual to send flowers as an expression of sympathy.
synonyms:
communication, telling, utterance
similar words:
announcement, articulation, declamation, enunciation, narration, proclamation, relation, show, speech, statement, talk
definition 2: a quality, as of a person's face, that has the capacity to make feelings known.
She said nothing, but it was obvious from her expression that something was terribly wrong.His quizzical expression made it clear that he had not understood.
similar words:
air, appearance, aspect, bearing, countenance, demeanor, face, look, mien, posture, tone
definition 3: the use of tone of voice, gestures, attitude of the body, or facial demeanor to communicate feeling.
The teacher kept the students interested by reading the story with expression.
similar words:
appearance, attitude, manner, mode, posture, set, way
definition 4: the power of expressing with clarity and force, esp. in words.
The expression in his speeches is what wins over his audiences.
synonyms:
cogency, eloquence
similar words:
force, persuasion, power
definition 5: a saying or phrase, often generally known.
"Break a leg" is an expression in the theater that means "I wish you luck."
synonyms:
phrase, saying
similar words:
adage, aphorism, apothegm, cliché, idiom, locution, maxim, proverb, term
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derivations: expressionless (adj.), expressionlessly (adv.)
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See
  face, theater