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Synonyms

express

American  
[ik-spres] / ɪkˈsprɛs /

verb (used with object)

  1. to put (thought) into words; utter or state.

    to express an idea clearly.

    Synonyms:
    formulate, word, declare
  2. to show, manifest, or reveal.

    to express one's anger.

    Synonyms:
    indicate
    Antonyms:
    conceal
  3. to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself ), as in speaking, writing, or painting.

    He can express himself eloquently.

  4. to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula.

    to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.

    Synonyms:
    denote, signify, designate
  5. to send by express.

    to express a package or merchandise.

  6. to press or squeeze out.

    to express the juice of grapes.

  7. to exude or emit (a liquid, odor, etc.), as if under pressure.

    The roses expressed a sweet perfume.

  8. Genetics. (of a gene) to be active in the production of (a protein or a phenotype).


adjective

  1. clearly indicated; distinctly stated; definite; explicit; plain.

    He defied my express command.

    Synonyms:
    unambiguous, obvious
  2. special; definite.

    We have an express purpose in being here.

    Synonyms:
    singular, particular
  3. direct or fast, especially making few or no intermediate stops.

    an express train;

    an express elevator.

    Synonyms:
    swift, nonstop, rapid
  4. used for direct or high-speed travel.

    an express highway.

  5. duly or exactly formed or represented.

    an express image.

    Synonyms:
    precise, accurate
  6. pertaining to an express.

    an express agency.

noun

  1. an express train, bus, elevator, etc.

  2. 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
  3. a company engaged in this business.

  4. British. a messenger or a message specially sent.

  5. something sent by express.

adverb

  1. by express.

    to travel express.

  2. Obsolete. expressly.

express British  
/ ɪkˈsprɛs /

verb

  1. to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize

  2. to show or reveal; indicate

    tears express grief

  3. to communicate (emotion, etc) without words, as through music, painting, etc

  4. to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc

  5. to force or squeeze out

    to express the juice from an orange

  6. to send by rapid transport or special messenger

  7. to communicate one's thoughts or ideas

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. clearly indicated or shown; explicitly stated

    an express wish

  2. done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particular

    an express purpose

  3. of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etc

    express delivery

    an express depot

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly

    2. merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system

    3. an enterprise operating such a system

  1. Also called: express train.  a fast train stopping at none or only a few of the intermediate stations between its two termini

  2. See express rifle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. by means of a special delivery or express delivery

    it went express

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • expresser noun
  • expressible adjective
  • expressless adjective
  • expressor noun
  • overexpress verb (used with object)
  • preexpress verb (used with object)
  • quasi-expressed adjective
  • reexpress verb (used with object)
  • superexpress noun
  • unexpressible adjective
  • well-expressed adjective

Etymology

Origin of express

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English expressen, from Latin expressus “pressed out,” past participle of exprimere “to press out”; ex- 1 ( def. ), press 1 ( def. )

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.

Others to be removed included a man who expressed his anger against psychiatrists, and several people whose loved ones suffered from social media addiction or harassment.

From Barron's

Here they are, the rich and powerful, some of them expressing sympathy for a criminal in their midst, often as a means to protect their own.

From The Wall Street Journal

California lawmakers are expressing concern about how the future of Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

Although an initial statement was released last Saturday, in which the crown princess expressed regret and admitted "poor judgement", the palace had been pressed to provide further details of how well she knew Epstein.

From BBC

Some former partners express nostalgia for the old days.

From The Wall Street Journal