Dictionary

expressively en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ɛkˈspɹɛ.sɪv.li/ (US)
• /ɪkˈspɹɛ.sɪv.li/ (US)

Etymology

Etymology tree English expressive Middle English -ly English -ly English expressively From expressive + -ly.

Meanings

1. In an expressive manner.
   • You can play the exercises pretty well on piano, fair enough, but can you play the movement expressively?
   • "I apprehend that my French is not equal to your letter, Monsieur," said Elizabeth, glancing her eye expressively at her companion; "will you favour us with its substance in English?" 1823, [James Fenimore Cooper], The Pioneers, or The Sources of the Susquehanna; […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), New York, N.Y.: Charles Wiley; […], →OCLC:
   • There was quite a bewildering succession of drives, dances, picnics and boating parties, all expressively lumped together by Phil under the head of “jamborees” 1915, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, Anne of the Island, New York, N.Y.: A[lbert] L[evi] Burt Company, →OCLC:
   • A low tap was heard at the room door. Mr. Bob Sawyer looked expressively at his friend, and bade the tapper come in[…] 1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “(please specify the chapter name)”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC:

Forms

Translations (8)

ca expressivament (in expressive manner) · it espressivamente (in expressive manner) · ru экспресси́вно (in expressive manner) · ru вырази́тельно (in expressive manner) · cs expresivně (in expressive manner) · fi ekspressiivisesti (in expressive manner) · es expresivamente (in expressive manner) · pt expressivamente (in expressive manner)