expression
//əkˈspɹɛʃ.n̩//
Forms
- Plural
- expressions
Definitions
1.The action of expressing thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc.
2.A particular way of phrasing an idea.
3.A colloquialism or idiom.
- The expression "break a leg!" should not be taken literally.
4.A facial appearance usually associated with an emotion.
- They stared at the newcomer with a puzzled expression.
- The best poker players can tell if the opponents have a good hand by looking at their expression.
- Her expression changed from joy to misery after realising her winning lottery ticket had expired.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1618
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Uncommon
Related words
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French expression, from Late Latin expressiō, expressiōnem (“a pressing out”).
Morphologically express + -ion.