Expressive meaning refers to the emotional or subjective significance that a word, phrase, or expression conveys beyond its literal definition. It captures the feelings, attitudes, or moods associated with language, allowing individuals to communicate their inner experiences and sentiments. For example, the word “home” may evoke feelings of warmth and safety, while “storm” might bring about feelings of fear or anxiety. In linguistics, expressive meaning is often contrasted with referential meaning, which focuses on the objective content of a message. Understanding expressive meaning is essential in fields like psychology, literature, and communication, as it helps to interpret how language influences human emotions and social interactions.