expressionistic
|ex-press-ion-is-tic|
🇺🇸
/ɪkˌsprɛʃəˈnɪstɪk/
🇬🇧
/ɪkˌsprɛʃ(ə)ˈnɪstɪk/
expressing strong subjective emotion
Etymology
'expressionistic' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'expressionist' with the suffix '-ic'/'-istic', where 'expression' ultimately came from Latin 'expressio' and the suffix '-istic' (via Greek '-ikos' through Latin/French) conveys 'relating to a practice or characteristic'.
'expressionistic' developed from the noun 'expression' (Middle English 'expression', from Latin 'expressio' from 'exprimere') to the agent noun 'expressionist' (one associated with Expressionism) and then to the adjective 'expressionistic'.
Initially the roots referred to 'pressing out' (Latin 'exprimere' = 'ex-' out + 'primere' to press), then to 'conveying or representing' ideas or feelings; over time it came to denote specifically the artistic movement and qualities of emphasizing subjective emotion and distortion, now expressed as 'expressionistic'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to the art movement Expressionism or having characteristics of that movement (bold, distorted, or exaggerated forms used to convey subjective emotion).
The painter's expressionistic canvases used extreme color and form to communicate inner anguish.
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Adjective 2
showing or emphasizing strong personal feelings or moods rather than objective reality; emotionally exaggerated or stylized.
Her expressionistic performance prioritized raw feeling over technical precision.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 22:48