Standard Lemma guide

self-expression

noun · 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.

  • CMU ARPABET: S EH2 L F IH0 K S P R EH1 SH AH0 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The means by which one's personal characteristics are displayed; showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions/changes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the expression of one's individuality (usually through creative activities)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: expressive style, style

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbh-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English expression English self-expression From self- + expression.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: самавыяўле́нне (samavyjawljénnje) — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Chinese Mandarin: 自我表達 /自我表达 (zìwǒ biǎodá) — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Greek: αυτοέκφραση (aftoékfrasi) — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Hungarian: önkifejezés — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Portuguese: autoexpressão — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Russian: самовыраже́ние (samovyražénije) — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Turkish: öz ifade — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Ukrainian: самови́раження (samovýražennja) — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions
  • Vietnamese: tự bạch — showing one's internal beliefs or character by means of external actions