expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

1

: having a capacity or a tendency to expand

2

: causing or tending to cause expansion

3

a

: characterized by high spirits, generosity, or readiness to talk : open

grew expansive after dinner

b

: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance

an expansive patient

4

: marked by expansion

especially : having a great expanse or extent : sizable, extensive

an expansive interpretation of the law

5

: characterized by richness, abundance, or magnificence

expansive living

expansive taste

expansively adverb

expansiveness noun

Synonyms

• broad
• deep
• extended
• extensive
• far-flung
• far-reaching
• rangy
• sweeping
• wide
• wide-ranging
• widespread

Examples of expansive in a Sentence

He was unusually expansive at the press conference.

She was in an expansive mood.

The law was expansive in its scope.

a more expansive treatment of the topic

the hotel's expansive dining room

The house has expansive views of the valley.

Recent Examples on the Web

For a player with one of the most expansive injury histories on the roster, getting deeper into a player’s 30s usually doesn’t help those situations. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

While the opening and closing holes of the Highlands Course offer long-range views of the surrounding area, The Keep offers a far more expansive mountain golf experience with breathtaking vistas throughout. —Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Long the home of Dr. Pamela Cantor and the late Richard A. Cantor, a former vice chairman at the investment firm Neuberger Berman, the home sits on a picturesque hillside in the rural town of Washington, with expansive views of pristine Lake Waramaug. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025

The new accommodation overlooks the theme park and provides a dedicated entrance for hotel guests, plus an expansive outdoor pool and a 10th-floor bar with great views. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

1

: having a capacity or a tendency to expand

gases are expansive

2

: causing or tending to cause expansion

an expansive force

3

: being in a good or talkative mood

4

: having considerable extent : broad

expansively adverb

expansiveness noun

Medical Definition

expansive

adjective

ex·​pan·​sive ik-ˈspan(t)-siv 

: marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance

a patient with expansive trends

expansiveness

-nəs 

noun