espressive

Espressive is an adjective used infrequently in English to indicate something that expresses or conveys emotion, meaning, or intention. It is generally considered a variant spelling of expressive, which is the standard term in modern English.

Because expressive is the common form, espressive is rarely encountered in contemporary writing outside of specialist discussions or when copying from non-English sources. When encountered, it may reflect a misspelling, a deliberate archaism, or a direct translation from languages that use a cognate form.

Musically, the standard Italian mark espressivo directs performers to play with expression; the English adjective used is expressive, not espressive. In score markings, espressivo is the correct term, and espressive would be unusual and likely erroneous unless intended for style or quotation.

Cross-linguistic notes: in Italian, espressivo; in Spanish, expresivo; in French, expressif. The English form espressive is sometimes seen in dictionaries or linguistic discussions but is not common in modern usage.

See also: Expressive; Expression; Expressivity.