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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.

When the previous government announced plans for the new tribunal in January, a group of lawyers and victims' descendants expressed concerns that it might ultimately disadvantage them.

From Barron's

Wagner, who had signed a contract over the summer that runs through 2028, expressed disappointment at the decision in a statement announcing his departure "by mutual agreement".

From Barron's

The Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights, a group of rights advocates, said that the national-security laws may keep people from expressing opinions about what happened.

From The Wall Street Journal

She expressed a desire for more wriggle room in the spreadsheets against her self-imposed fiscal rules – so-called "headroom".

From BBC

In Taiwan, manufacturers too expressed renewed confidence about the year ahead, helping drive a fresh round of job creation.

From The Wall Street Journal