noun
Uncommon
exposition
ehks-puh-ZIH-shuhn
Exposition (noun) means a large public exhibition, often of art, products, or culture. Example: “The World's Fair was one of the great expositions of the twentieth century.”
noun
1
A large public exhibition, often of art, products, or culture.
"The World's Fair was one of the great expositions of the twentieth century."
"Thousands of visitors travelled to the exposition to see new inventions from many countries."
"The city hosted an international exposition of crafts and food last summer."
2
A clear, detailed explanation of a subject, especially in writing or speech.
"The professor's exposition of the theory took up the whole lecture."
"His exposition of the rules was so clear that everyone understood the game at once."
"The book offers a careful exposition of how the human heart works."
3
The background information given at the start of a story, explaining characters, setting, or events.
"The film's opening scenes are pure exposition, setting up the family history."
"The first chapter is mostly exposition, introducing the village and its main characters."
"Good writers avoid too much exposition and let the story reveal details slowly."
How to use exposition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a public exhibition, or a detailed explanation — including the background-setting part of a story.
Common pairings
clumsy exposition
exposition dump
an art exposition
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like exposition.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- expositions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The World's Fair was one of the great _____ of the twentieth century.
Etymology
From Old French esposicion, from Latin expositiō, based on expōnere, "to put forth" or explain.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for exposition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for exposition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “exposition” mean?
The word “exposition” means a large public exhibition, often of art, products, or culture. In plain terms, either a public exhibition, or a detailed explanation — including the background-setting part of a story.
How do you pronounce “exposition”?
“Exposition” is pronounced ehks-puh-ZIH-shuhn (/ɛkspəˈzɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “exposition” in a sentence?
Here is “exposition” used in a sentence: “The World's Fair was one of the great expositions of the twentieth century.”
What part of speech is “exposition”?
“Exposition” is a noun.
Where does the word “exposition” come from?
The word “exposition” comes from Latin. From Old French esposicion, from Latin expositiō, based on expōnere, "to put forth" or explain.
Is “exposition” a common word?
“Exposition” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “exposition” have?
“Exposition” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large public exhibition, often of art, products, or culture.
What is the difference between exposition and expo?
Exposition is the fuller, more formal word for a large public exhibition, while expo is simply an informal shortened form of it. Exposition is also used in two other senses that expo does not cover: a clear detailed explanation of a subject, and the background information given at the start of a story.
What does exposition mean in storytelling?
In storytelling, exposition refers to the background information provided at the start of a narrative, explaining characters, setting, or events the audience needs to understand what follows. Writers often aim to deliver exposition naturally through dialogue or action rather than long blocks of explanation, to avoid slowing the story down.
What is the difference between exposition and explanation?
Exposition specifically refers to a clear, detailed explanation of a subject, often in formal writing or speech, while explanation is the more general everyday word for making something understood. Exposition can also carry the additional meanings of a public exhibition or narrative background, making it a broader term than explanation alone.
