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.
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to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula.
to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.
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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.
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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
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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:
Forti said the veto-wielding nations -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- might wait until later to express their preferences, while new contenders could emerge.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
I feel like he will give them the freedom to express themselves.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
There aren’t many survivors interviewed for “9/11 Reunited”—or the moment-by-moment docu-thriller “102 Minutes Inside the Towers”—who don’t express guilt for having survived.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
But just the fact that he requires a woman to linger around him all the time, ready to express her devotion and that of his most ardent followers, isn’t a great look.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026
And so, on our way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I taught Calista everything there was to know about New York—the streets and the avenues, express subways, bus stops.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
A statement from a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that he "expresses his solidarity with the people and government of Colombia" and that it working to support the government's response.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
"The Council also unanimously expresses its concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue or to the institutional mechanisms established to address situations of this nature."
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
He could have made something that shimmers, a piece of true pop that expresses repellent ideals.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 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
When one of them expresses an opinion she disagrees with, she looks around at the group and gathers allies for her position.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
Elected officials in Alaska expressed their condolences in social-media posts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Management expressed confidence that could it lean on planned investments to cut prices over this year to gain market share.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Dame Uta first expressed her views in an interview with the Times Educational Supplement in March.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
In a December 2024 letter to Bass, the Rev. Mark Hopper of the Evangelical Free Church expressed similar concerns and asked the mayor to stop the project.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
But on the night of August 4, Johnson expressed no hesitation.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
As negotiators have worked around the clock to hammer out a deal, some Canadians are expressing concern with what is - and what isn't - on the table.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
If the lyrics include the word ‘millionaire,’ it is usually in expressing a preference for love.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
South Korea reacted to Trump's new decision on the exercises in measured terms, expressing hope that the Trump-Kim relationship "will lead to meaningful dialogue."
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
He has no problem expressing his displeasure at being inconvenienced by his unwanted trainee or earthbound law enforcement officers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
This was the plate of food she was served after she delivered the minefield map—the pancakes Captain Blair offered her after expressing his gratitude and awe at her bravery.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
