convey
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to take, carry, or transport from one place to another
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to communicate (a message, information, etc)
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(of a channel, path, etc) to conduct, transmit, or transfer
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law to transmit or transfer (the title to property)
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archaic to steal
Synonym Usage
See carry.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have conveyedperfect
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has conveyedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been conveyingperfect progressive
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conveyingparticiple
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conveyssingular 3rd person
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am conveyingprogressive 1st person singular
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is conveyingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been conveyingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are conveyingprogressive
Past
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had conveyedperfect
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were conveyingprogressive plural
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was conveyingprogressive singular
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had been conveyingperfect progressive
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conveyedparticiple
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conveyedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of convey
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conveyen, from Anglo-French conveier, from unattested Vulgar Latin conviāre, equivalent to con- “with, together, completely” + -viāre, derivative of via “way”; see con- ( def. ), via ( def. )
Explanation
When you convey something, you carry or deliver it. Little Red Riding Hood conveyed a basket of muffins to her grandmother. Your sad smile might convey more about your feelings than words ever could. You can also convey a message or information, which means that you communicate it to someone directly or indirectly through your words or actions. In law, the word convey means to transfer or pass property to someone. This verb is from Middle English conveyen, from Old French conveier, ultimately from the Latin prefix com-, "together," plus via, "way."
Vocabulary lists containing convey
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 2
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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.
He said: "I have asked officials to convey our hope that they can resolve this so that Scotland's fans do not miss out."
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
“Part of what I want to convey here is that there’s not some ‘magic’ that’s necessary, that doesn’t exist for AI satellites,” Musk said in the video.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
Yet all of them convey an understanding, even an appreciation, for their close connection to an artist whose influence rippled across popular music.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
It’s hardly the first company to try to convey its brand image through its ticker symbol; for example, Anheuser-Busch InBev uses “BUD,” a nod to its Budweiser brand, and Petco has opted for “WOOF.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
She had agreed, if necessary, to use her contacts to convey secret messages on Nixon’s behalf to Nguyen Van Thieu, the president of South Vietnam.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
