Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deliberately impassive in manner; showing no emotion, feeling, or character on the face or in the voice. It describes a person or their appearance, especially their face or eyes, that is deliberately blank and reveals nothing of their thoughts or feelings.
   • Lacking expression or emotional tone; deadpan. It can also describe a voice or manner of speaking that is flat and without inflection.

Usage

The word "expressionless" is used to describe a face, look, gaze, voice, or manner that is completely devoid of visible emotion or reaction. It often implies a deliberate or controlled effort to hide one's feelings, or it can describe a natural state of blankness. It is typically used in a descriptive, sometimes critical, context.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • His face remained expressionless as the judge delivered the guilty verdict.
  • She listened to the shocking news with an expressionless stare.
  • The actor delivered his lines in a flat, expressionless monotone.
  • Despite the chaos around him, his features were completely expressionless.

Advanced Usage

• "to be expressionless": to have a face or manner that shows no emotion.
  • The security guard was trained to be expressionless at all times.
• "to stare expressionlessly": to look at something with a blank, emotionless gaze. (Note: This uses the adverb form "expressionlessly").
  • He stared expressionlessly out the window for hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Expressionlessly (adverb): In a manner that shows no expression.
  • He nodded expressionlessly and turned away.
• Deadpan (adjective/adverb): In a deliberately impassive or matter-of-fact style. This is a close synonym often used for humor delivered without showing emotion.
  • She told the joke with a deadpan face.

Synonyms

• Impassive: Not feeling or showing emotion.
• Blank: Showing a lack of understanding or reaction.
• Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
• Poker-faced: Having an impassive expression that hides one's thoughts, especially in poker.
• Unreadable: Impossible to interpret or understand (someone's expression or character).

Antonyms

• Expressive: Effectively conveying thought or feeling.
• Animated: Full of life or excitement; lively.
• Emotive: Arousing or able to arouse intense feeling.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A blank slate: An absence of preconceived ideas or predetermined goals; a clean slate. (Conceptually related to showing no prior "expression" or marking).
• To keep a straight face: To manage not to laugh or smile when it is inappropriate or difficult.
  • The joke was so funny it was hard to keep a straight face. (This describes the action of maintaining an expressionless appearance, unlike the adjective "expressionless" which describes the state).

Adjective

1. deliberately impassive in manner
   • deadpan humor
   • his face remained expressionless as the verdict was read