Standard Lemma guide

expository

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: /ɛkˈspɑzəˌtɔɹi/
  • UK: /ɛkˈspɒzɪtəɹi/
  • UK: /ɛkˈspɒzɪtɹi/
  • UK: /ɪkˈ-/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Serving to explain, explicate, or elucidate; expositive; of or relating to exposition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Practicing expository writing will teach you to explain complex concepts clearly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: expositorial

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

serving to expound or set forth

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • clean expository writing

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: expositive

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English exposit(ion) Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -tōriusder. Middle English -orie English -ory English expository From exposit(ion) + -ory.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: uitleggend — serving to explain
  • Dutch: verklarend — serving to explain
  • Ancient Greek: ἐκθετικός (ekthetikós) — serving to explain
  • Maltese: espożittiv — serving to explain
  • Spanish: expositivo — serving to explain
  • Spanish: expositor — serving to explain
  • Swedish: förklarande — serving to explain