express
Americanverb (used with object)
-
expresses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
expressed,
past participle, past
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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.
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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.
-
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
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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:
They express confidence in public while perhaps fearing in private that a worst-case scenario could make it hopeless to try to save everyone.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
“There will be a point where a bunch of artists express worry about what we’re doing here and we’ll likely ignore their concerns and release anyway.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
In my opinion, most people in Russia now want peace and Yabloko helped people express this.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
In the first years, those who dared to object to the war or express criticism of American policy were shut down immediately.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
Children can draw simple shapes and textures to express sounds and compositions that they’ve invented, or can read the work of another child who has written in this type of notation.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
CPL shared the post on Instagram, where other patrons began volunteering their totals in the comments — a spontaneous little leaderboard for people whose competitive edge expresses itself through returning DVDs on time.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
That sense of autonomy shaped how she expresses herself online today, and she believes that a revived MySpace should avoid the algorithmic, pay-to-play dynamics that dominate modern platforms.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Americans deserve a National Museum of American History that expresses a love of that history and views it as the wondrous story of a nation conceived in liberty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 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
It turns on a dime, expresses itself in the instant.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Both camps last week agreed to bury the hatchet—for now—as all of the party’s eight state governors agreed to write a joint letter that didn’t mention Merz by name but expressed support for the chancellor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
A patient’s tumor is surgically removed and then sequenced, allowing researchers to figure out which mutated proteins are expressed on the cancer cells.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026
Ireland's Classic Hits Radio announced it was removing Sheeran's music from its playlists because of feedback from listeners who had expressed "disappointment and concern" over his US tour.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
He also expressed concern that smaller AI models, which would have been exempt from the law, could also be dangerous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Among those asking about it were people Burry had solicited for Milton’s Opus—people who had initially expressed great interest.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
In 2016, when he was the pastor of a 40-member church, he sat down and recorded a four-minute video expressing his frustration with the country’s economic mismanagement.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
“The key point of my statement is that we can uphold academic freedom while also expressing support for members of our community who are hurting,” he wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Farage is shown saying "it's all above board" and expressing thanks.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
The Democratic Socialists of America has found itself at the forefront of American politics, and its members aren’t shy about expressing their positions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
The Commandant’s voice is filled with a doubt I never imagined her capable of expressing.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
