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self-expression

self-expression

14 4.2
A way of showing your thoughts and feelings and your personality through art, music, or writing
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛlf ɪkˈsprɛʃən/
translation icon : autoexpresión
  • Painting is a powerful form of self-expression that allows artists to convey their emotions.
  • self-expression and creativity
  • means of self-expression
  • opportunities for self-expression

Paintings like these are our our self-expression in many different facets.

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Examples

  • Music participation can provide a means of self-expression and an opportunity for enhancement of feelings of self-worth.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Skateboarding for me is freedom, it's self-expression.

  • And self-expression is another thing and feeling freedom, not feeling pressure or force or anything like that.

  • Learning activities need to allow for self-expression and sharing of experiences.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The media program was called upon for the first time to provide opportunities for student self-expression.

    Academic text (2008)
  • You know, Black Awareness Week is an opportunity for self-expression.

  • Exploring a variety of drum sounds may help students develop self-expression.

    Academic text (2015)
  • In any form of creativity, self-expression, or art, you're giving away a little part of yourself.

    Academic text (2015)
  • New York City is represented as a utopia of self-expression and queer embodiment.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Respondents acquire first tattoos to represent important role transitions and as a form of identity and self-expression.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

expression
vsself-expression
230 3.4

The way someone shows thoughts and feelings in speech and writing

focuses on showing individuality through creative arts rather than general communication

Antonyms

119 4.8

A system that removes parts of books, films or news that people find harmful

suppression
  • Specialized
6 6.3

Keeping unwanted thoughts or feelings out of your mind deliberately

How Expressive

self-expression
14 4.2
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

self-expression = self + expression (transparent) = self + expression

The meaning is a straightforward compound of 'self' + 'expression' and is directly inferable by learners who know both words.

Etymology

Self-expression combines self ('your own') and express, which comes from ex- ('out') and press ('to push or press'), like the common word press. So it is like 'pressing out' your thoughts and feelings, which is why it means showing your inner ideas through art, music, or writing.