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

Still, a vast majority don't know just how transformative and expansive web scraping has become. —Sandro Shubladze, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

To that end, the main floor houses what might be the most beautiful home weight room, with expansive views of the property’s mature pine trees. —Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

How about a prefab house that features an expansive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows? —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

Amid the expansive space are five distinct areas, each with its own vibe and design. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 28 Nov. 2024

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