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.
-
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.
-
to press or squeeze out.
to express the juice of grapes.
-
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.
-
pertaining to an express.
an express agency.
noun
-
expresses
plural
-
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
-
to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize
-
to show or reveal; indicate
tears express grief
-
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
-
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
-
quasi-expressedadjective
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unexpressibleadjective
-
well-expressedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
expresssimple
-
expressessimple
-
have expressedperfect
-
has expressedperfect
-
am expressingprogressive
-
are expressingprogressive
-
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
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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:
Following the Panorama broadcast, Channel 4's chief executive Priya Dogra initially didn't apologise, although she did express her "sympathy" for those who had spoken up.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The instruction further stated that burial is “above all the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Some extremists like to shout their most extreme views, while others express them in niche journals or in private, among well-heeled friends.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
The attack on Binance came as many observers express worries that the ever-expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence models could compromise cryptography and IT security protocols.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
You can also take Bacon’s cipher and express it using 0 for a and 1 for b.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
The typical example of “Anakin-posting” expresses rage at a stagnant economy or lack of prospects by sharing images of Christensen’s Anakin looking stoic.
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026
Goblikon’s raspy voice, the way he wobbles and the way he expresses emotions under the mask are a direct result of the ghostwriter’s full commitment to the character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Many artificial intelligence systems use sentiment analysis to determine whether language expresses positive, negative, or neutral feelings.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Mr. Marriott expresses concern about the end of reading, but a more accurate understanding is that reading changes over time, and students and others need to be shown how to read different kinds of texts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Music expresses identity, and children often take part in family celebrations that represent an ethnic or religious heritage.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Last month, committee members had expressed concern that Phone First was being cut just as hospital EDs prepared to deal with increased winter pressures.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
Those reasons echo concerns expressed by the other governors who have granted mass clemencies to people under death sentences.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
Vasquez’s attorney, Christopher Chaney, told The Times in a statement that his client “accepted responsibility for his role in Mr. Arambula’s death and has expressed genuine remorse for the pain he caused.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
But James, a Democrat who was elected Tuesday to a third term, faced criticism because her office lacked expertise in sex-crimes prosecutions—and because she had expressed solidarity with the accuser.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
A bruising bulldog of a man, Bill had also expressed deep frustration over the authorities’ investigation, and he had begun looking into the matter himself.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Hader’s elastic voice rides in a higher range than usual, but he also mixes it up, expressing the many multifaceted aspects of the Cat’s erratic personality.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Surveys conducted by the entertainment analytics company Luminate have found that listeners between the ages of 13 and 24 are expressing more interest in songs from the 1990s or before.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
"We don't even have the right to vote, we can't do anything, so this is our only way of expressing ourselves," a high school student in northwestern Paris said on condition of anonymity.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
"Singapore leaders expressing concerns about the haze and how it affects the people of both countries have been taken to mean that Singapore has been disrespectful to its neighbour."
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Not only was her voice robotic; she was also saying things that she never would have said before, expressing sentiments that seemed to be at odds with the mother Flora had always known.
From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo
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