expression
gb/ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/ us/ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
A2
Anglais
~ 1200
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
action
1
act of showing thoughts or feelings
The act of showing what you think or feel using words, looks, art, or actions.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s expression of [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'expression' with 'impression'. An 'expression' is what you show; an 'impression' is the feeling you give someone else.
Synonymes
communication (A broader term for sharing information or ideas, not limited to feelings.)
Antonymes
suppression (The act of holding back or preventing the expression of thoughts or feelings.)
Collocations
facial expression
|freedom of expression
|artistic expression
|self-expression
Thèmes
communication
|emotions
|art
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Her facial expression showed that she was surprised.
- Freedom of expression is a basic human right.
- Dance is a powerful form of artistic expression.
- His expression of gratitude was very moving.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Her face had a happy expression.
- Freedom of expression is important.
- Painting is her way of expression.
- He gave an expression of thanks.
Nom
A2
entity
2
look on face showing emotion
The way someone's face looks that shows their feelings or thoughts.
Schéma d’usage :
an expression on [someone]'s face
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'expression' here when they mean 'emotion'. The 'expression' is the visible sign, not the feeling itself.
Synonymes
look (More general; can refer to any appearance, not just the face showing emotion.)
Antonymes
poker face (A facial appearance that hides emotions completely.)
Collocations
serious expression
|blank expression
|pained expression
Thèmes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She had a worried expression on her face.
- His expression changed from happy to angry in seconds.
- I recognized the expression of fear in his eyes.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She has a sad expression.
- His face has a big smile expression.
- I see a surprised expression on her face.
Nom
B1
entity
3
particular phrase or wording
A word or group of words that people use in a certain way to say something.
Schéma d’usage :
[a/an] [adjective] expression
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'expression' with 'sentence'. An 'expression' can be shorter than a sentence and is often idiomatic.
Synonymes
phrase (A small group of words; may not carry the same nuance about style or originality as 'expression'.)
Antonymes
silence (The absence of spoken words.)
Collocations
common expression
|idiomatic expression
|slang expression
Thèmes
language
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 'Break the ice' is a common English expression.
- I don't know that expression—what does it mean?
- She used an old-fashioned expression in her letter.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It is a common expression in English.
- I like this funny expression.
- Do you know this English expression?
Nom
technical
B2
entity
4
mathematical combination of symbols
Numbers and signs in math that show a value or idea.
Synonymes
equation (Similar but specifically includes an equals sign and two sides.)
Antonymes
number (A single numeric value without mathematical operations.)
Collocations
algebraic expression
|mathematical expression
|simplify an expression
Thèmes
mathematics
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Simplify the algebraic expression before solving the problem.
- The teacher wrote a long mathematical expression on the board.
- That formula contains several expressions within it.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This is a math expression.
- We can make a new math expression.
- Please write the math expression on the paper.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
expression
API
GB/ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
US/ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
ex - pres - sion (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pres)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: expression
- Plural: expression, expressions
Famille de mots
Forms
expressions
noun
Core family
express
verb A2
expressive
adjective B2
Related words
expressively
adverb
expressiveness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
expressionless
adjective
inexpressive
adjective
Advanced or less common
inexpressible
adjective
Expressions
freedom of expression
1/fɹˈidəm əv ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
right to express opinions freely
The right to say what you think and feel without being stopped by the government.
Exemples
- Freedom of expression is protected by the constitution.
- Many activists fight for freedom of expression around the world.
self-expression
1/sˈɛlf ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
expressing your own personality and ideas
Showing your own feelings and ideas in your own way.
Exemples
- Art is a form of self-expression.
- Fashion can be a powerful tool for self-expression.
artistic expression
1/ɑɹtˈɪstɪk ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
showing ideas or feelings through art
The way a person shows their ideas or feelings through painting, music, dance, writing, or other arts.
Exemples
- Painting is her favorite form of artistic expression.
- Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression.
- The festival celebrates many kinds of artistic expression.
- The workshop gives teenagers a space for artistic expression.
- Artistic expression is strongly protected in many countries.
facial expression
1/fˈeɪʃəl ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
Look on a face that shows feeling
The way someone’s face looks that shows how they feel or what they think.
Exemples
- Her facial expression told me she was upset.
- Her facial expression changed from happy to worried in a second.
- You can read his mood from his facial expressions.
- His words were kind, but his facial expression was cold.
- Actors practice different facial expressions in front of a mirror.