Expression: meaning, definitions and examples

😊
Add to dictionary

expression

 

[ ɪkˈsprɛʃən ]

Context #1 | Noun

in daily life

The act of making your thoughts or feelings known, either through words, actions, or non-verbal communication.

Synonyms

communication, manifestation, verbalization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
expression

Use 'expression' when talking about the act of showing thoughts, feelings, or ideas, often in an artistic or emotional form.

  • Her painting is a true expression of her inner turmoil.
  • He found writing poetry to be an effective form of self-expression.
communication

Use 'communication' when referring to the process of exchanging information or ideas between people, often through speaking, writing, or other mediums.

  • Effective communication is key to a successful relationship.
  • The manager emphasized the importance of open communication within the team.
manifestation

Use 'manifestation' when referring to something that clearly shows or embodies an abstract idea, quality, or feeling. Often used in a more formal or philosophical context.

  • The sudden rainstorm was seen as a manifestation of the unpredictable nature of the climate.
  • Her kindness was a manifestation of her compassionate character.
verbalization

Use 'verbalization' when specifically talking about the act of putting thoughts or feelings into words. It often refers to the spoken form and can have a clinical or technical connotation.

  • The therapist encouraged the patient to practice verbalization of his feelings.
  • She struggles with verbalization during stressful situations.

Examples of usage

  • She had a surprised expression on her face.
  • His expression of gratitude was heartwarming.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

A mathematical phrase that can be evaluated to produce a value.

Synonyms

equation, formula, mathematical statement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
expression

Use when talking about a combination of numbers, variables, and operations without an equality sign.

  • 3x + 2, 5a - 7
equation

Use when referring to a mathematical statement that shows the equality of two expressions.

  • 3x + 2 = 11, 5a - 7 = 0
formula

This is used when referring to a set rule or relationship, often used to calculate or determine values.

  • Area of a circle: A = πr^2, Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
mathematical statement

A broad term used to describe any declarative sentence in mathematics, which could be an equation, inequality, or a more complex relation.

  • A triangle has three sides, x > 7

Examples of usage

  • The algebraic expression x + 5 can be simplified to 3x.
Context #3 | Noun

programming

A combination of variables, operators, and method invocations that evaluates to a single value.

Synonyms

code snippet, computational formula.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
expression

Use in general programming or mathematical contexts to represent a combination of variables, constants, operators, and functions that are evaluated to produce a value.

  • The expression 3 + 5 evaluates to 8.
  • In mathematics, x + y is a common expression.
code snippet

Use in programming when referring to a small piece of code that performs a specific task, often shared as an example or part of documentation.

  • Here is a code snippet to sort an array in Python.
  • The documentation includes a code snippet to illustrate how the function works.
computational formula

Use in technical and scientific contexts to refer to a mathematical rule or principle often used to perform calculations.

  • The computational formula for standard deviation is used in statistics.
  • Scientists used a computational formula to predict the behavior of the system.

Examples of usage

  • The expression (a + b) * c evaluates to the result of the sum of a and b multiplied by c.

Translations

Translations of the word "expression" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expressão

🇮🇳 अभिव्यक्ति

🇩🇪 Ausdruck

🇮🇩 ekspresi

🇺🇦 вираз

🇵🇱 wyrażenie

🇯🇵 表現 (ひょうげん)

🇫🇷 expression

🇪🇸 expresión

🇹🇷 ifade

🇰🇷 표현 (pyohyeon)

🇸🇦 تعبير

🇨🇿 výraz

🇸🇰 výraz

🇨🇳 表达 (biǎodá)

🇸🇮 izraz

🇮🇸 tjáning

🇰🇿 баяндау

🇬🇪 გამოხატვა

🇦🇿 ifadə

🇲🇽 expresión

Etymology

The word 'expression' comes from the Latin word 'expressio', which means 'a pressing out'. It has been used in various contexts throughout history, from art to mathematics to communication. The concept of expression has evolved to encompass a wide range of meanings, reflecting the diversity of human expression in different fields.

See also: expressed, expressible, expressing, expressions, expressive, expressively, expressiveness, expressway, unexpressed.

Word Frequency Rank

At #950 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.