exposition

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A clear, full explanation of an idea, argument, or theory.

   Grammar: Use “an exposition” for one explanation and bare “exposition” for the activity of explaining.

   Patterns

   • clear exposition
   • exposition of a theory
   • give an exposition

   The book provides a careful exposition of the legal argument.

   Her exposition of the data made the results easy to follow.

   Students wrote an exposition comparing two economic models.

2. 2noununcountable

   Background information given at the start of a story to establish setting, characters, or earlier events.

   Grammar: Common in writing classes; too much can feel like an information dump.

   Patterns

   • opening exposition
   • deliver exposition
   • heavy exposition

   The opening exposition explains why the family left the city.

   The film hides its exposition inside a quiet conversation.

   Too much exposition can slow the first chapter.

3. 3nouncountableformalold-fashioned

   A large public exhibition of art, trade, industry, or national achievements.

   Grammar: Rather formal and less common than “exhibition” today.

   Patterns

   • world exposition
   • hold an exposition
   • trade exposition

   The city hosted a world exposition in the nineteenth century.

   A trade exposition brought buyers from several countries.

   The old poster advertised an industrial exposition.

Word forms

Common combinations

clear exposition

The lecture was praised for its clear exposition of a difficult proof.

exposition of a theory

The final chapter is an exposition of the author’s theory of memory.

opening exposition

The opening exposition introduces the island and its rules.

world exposition

A world exposition can transform a city’s infrastructure.

Synonyms and how they differ

explanation

Explanation is the general word; exposition suggests a systematic, detailed account.

account

Account is a report or description; exposition is more formal and structured.

exhibition

Exhibition fits the public-show sense, not the explanation of ideas.

synopsis

Synopsis is a brief summary, whereas exposition may be detailed.

Word family

expositor noun

A person who explains something, usually formal.

expositional adjective

Relating to exposition, though uncommon.

Commonly confused: exposition or exposure?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “exposition”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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