express
Americanverb (used with object)
-
expresses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
expressed,
past participle, past
-
expressing
present participle
-
to put (thought) into words; utter or state.
to express an idea clearly.
-
to show, manifest, or reveal.
to express one's anger.
- Synonyms:
- indicate
- Antonyms:
- conceal
-
to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself ), as in speaking, writing, or painting.
He can express himself eloquently.
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to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula.
to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.
-
to send by express.
to express a package or merchandise.
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to press or squeeze out.
to express the juice of grapes.
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to exude or emit (a liquid, odor, etc.), as if under pressure.
The roses expressed a sweet perfume.
-
Genetics. (of a gene) to be active in the production of (a protein or a phenotype).
adjective
-
clearly indicated; distinctly stated; definite; explicit; plain.
He defied my express command.
- Synonyms:
- unambiguous, obvious
-
special; definite.
We have an express purpose in being here.
- Synonyms:
- singular, particular
-
direct or fast, especially making few or no intermediate stops.
an express train;
an express elevator.
-
used for direct or high-speed travel.
an express highway.
-
duly or exactly formed or represented.
an express image.
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pertaining to an express.
an express agency.
noun
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expresses
plural
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an express train, bus, elevator, etc.
-
a system or method of sending freight, parcels, money, etc., that is faster and safer, but more expensive, than ordinary freight service.
We agree to send the package by express.
- Synonyms:
- courier
-
a company engaged in this business.
-
British. a messenger or a message specially sent.
-
something sent by express.
adverb
-
by express.
to travel express.
-
Obsolete. expressly.
verb
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to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize
-
to show or reveal; indicate
tears express grief
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to communicate (emotion, etc) without words, as through music, painting, etc
-
to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc
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to force or squeeze out
to express the juice from an orange
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to send by rapid transport or special messenger
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to communicate one's thoughts or ideas
adjective
-
clearly indicated or shown; explicitly stated
an express wish
-
done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particular
an express purpose
-
of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etc
express delivery
an express depot
noun
-
-
a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly
-
merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system
-
an enterprise operating such a system
-
-
Also called: express train. a fast train stopping at none or only a few of the intermediate stations between its two termini
-
See express rifle
adverb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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expressernoun
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expressornoun
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superexpressnoun
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overexpressverb (used with object)
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preexpressverb (used with object)
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reexpressverb (used with object)
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expressibleadjective
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expresslessadjective
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quasi-expressedadjective
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unexpressibleadjective
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well-expressedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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expresssimple
-
expressessimple
-
have expressedperfect
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has expressedperfect
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am expressingprogressive
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are expressingprogressive
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is expressingprogressive
-
have been expressingperfect progressive
-
has been expressingperfect progressive
Past
-
expressedsimple
-
had expressedperfect
-
was expressingprogressive
-
were expressingprogressive
-
had been expressingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of express
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English expressen, from Latin expressus “pressed out,” past participle of exprimere “to press out”; see ex- 1 ( def. ), press 1 ( def. )
Explanation
When something goes fast, it goes express — like a train that skips many stops. You also express your feelings and thoughts. When you want something sent quickly, send it by express mail. When you give your opinion, you're expressing yourself. Writing music and poems are also examples of expressing yourself. Mathematical formulas express complex ideas. In genetics, a gene might be expressed by making you bald.
Vocabulary lists containing express
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 3
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STAAR English I: The Language of the Test 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Revenue growth was driven by market capacity constraints supporting the express and air freight units.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Carlos Mino, 67, joined Thursday's protest to express opposition to the legislation, despite the government's reversal.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
Friends and experts alike all express surprise when I share the story of our unwelcome visitor.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
I was like, “It‘s difficult to show this character’s rage when it would be super inappropriate to express it with every single person in this room.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Nhamo thought about what she should do to express her gratitude.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
He could have made something that shimmers, a piece of true pop that expresses repellent ideals.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Speaking at the Time 100 Sports gala, LeBron James expresses gratitude to USC staff members who saved Bronny after 2023 cardiac arrest and encourages others to be prepared for such emergencies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"Glioblastoma is metabolically reprogrammed and expresses GLUT1 at three times the levels of normal brain tissue, so the particles preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue after crossing the blood-brain barrier," Olena Taratula said.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
Wearing overalls and a cap emblazoned with "Billionaire's Boys Club", he expresses profound regret over the seven years he has worked as a goon.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
Music expresses children’s identity and heritage, teaches them to belong to a culture, and develops their cognitive well-being and inner self-worth.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
A report in the Financial Times said several potential buyers that have records in defence had expressed interest in Goodwin in recent weeks.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
A devout Christian, Beshara expressed hope that she and her colleagues would lead "a legislative revolution befitting Syria" that would bring all citizens safety after more than 13 years of war.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
After a recent visit to White Sands, Driscoll expressed concern about the wait times for companies to conduct tests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
There, she debuted “Después de Ti,” a shoegaze ballad joined by Greg Gonzalez, frontman of the indie-pop band Cigarettes After Sex; the song expressed profound grief after Karol experienced a loved one’s death.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
Even her husband, when he came down the Saturday following Robert’s departure, expressed regret that he had gone.
From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
And speaking of the ’90s … The internet longs for a time before tech—and it’s expressing it in some questionable ways.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
But civil-rights lawyers and former DHS staffers say the approach has swept up people expressing opinions that are protected by the First Amendment, report Hannah Critchfield and Shane Shifflett.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Rahman at no time considered that something may have gone wrong surgically, the tribunal heard, despite the patient's parents and other medics expressing concerns.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
He was expressing anger at his own representatives being refused when he collapsed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
There’s no expressing how good it feels to have her back.
From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
