express

[ ik-spres ]

/ ɪkˈsprɛs /

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See synonyms for: express / expressed / expresses / expressing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to put (thought) into words; utter or state: to express an idea clearly.

to show, manifest, or reveal: to express one's anger.

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.

special; definite: We have an express purpose in being here.

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

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.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR express

1 declare, word, formulate.

2 indicate.

4 designate, signify, denote.

9 obvious, unambiguous.

10 particular, singular.

11 swift, rapid, nonstop.

13 accurate, precise.

16 courier.

See synonyms for express on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR express

2 conceal.

See antonyms for express on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Origin of express

1275–1325; Middle English expressen<Latin expressus (past participle of exprimere). See ex-¹, press¹

OTHER WORDS FROM express

ex·press·er, ex·pres·sor, nounex·press·i·ble, adjectiveex·press·less, adjectiveo·ver·ex·press, verb (used with object)

pre·ex·press, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·pressed, adjectivere·ex·press, verb (used with object)su·per·ex·press, nounun·ex·press·i·ble, adjectivewell-ex·pressed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use express in a sentence

The workings of the heavens are expressed through the contrasting interplay of light and dark.
These Images Expose the Dark Side of the Solar System - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Corey S. Powell|August 26, 2020|Nautilus
Your furry buddies might not express these behaviors while you’re around, but you can keep a watchful eye on them with a well-placed camera.
How to help your pet with separation anxiety|Sara Kiley Watson|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
Fused people, in other words, appeared to be censoring statements largely because of their substance, not for the offensive way they were expressed.
The Anonymous Culture Cops of the Internet - Facts So Romantic|Jesse Singal|August 12, 2020|Nautilus
How frustrating to have such a rich mental life and be stuck with such poor resources for expressing it!
This Week’s Awesome Tech Stories From Around the Web (Through August 8)|Singularity Hub Staff|August 8, 2020|Singularity Hub

During the hearing, Borgeas expressed concern that other cities would see what San Diego was doing and want to alter their revenue-sharing responsibilities, too.
Sacramento Report: Bill Would Let City Attorney Collect More in Consumer Cases|Voice of San Diego|August 7, 2020|Voice of San Diego
When he expresses concern over her bruised and disheveled appearance, she lies and tells him that she fainted.
How Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt Navigated Anna's Controversial Rape Arc|Kevin Fallon|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also, he gave a lame excuse: ‘I couldn't find a pic that expresses both sides.’
Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire Posts Pro-Palestine Photo, Allegedly Cyberbullies Israeli-Born MTV VJ|Robert Silverman|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Affection, after all, is what the in-group use of the n-word expresses.
Justin Bieber: Not a Racist, But Is He Really a N*****?|John McWhorter|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in reality, the sentiment it expresses is deeply serious.
How One Doctor Mastered the Art of Delivering Life-Changing Diagnoses|Russell Saunders|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is a film of their first American press conference that expresses this perfectly.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers|Nik Cohn|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The medium pitch expresses warmth, emotion, and the heart qualities.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Pitch corresponds to the range of the voice, and expresses affection or attraction.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
“Ill-usage” expresses the date of the death of Columbus in 1506, as he died in great neglect.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
“Chaplet”—a wreath or garland signed for by him in his ambitious hopes—expresses his birth-date by Con.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
That fancy dialogue about expresses the legal value of the evidence for this important miracle.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for express

express

/ (ɪkˈsprɛs) /

verb (tr)

to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize

to show or reveal; indicatetears express grief

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

to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc

to force or squeeze outto express the juice from an orange

to send by rapid transport or special messenger

express oneself to communicate one's thoughts or ideas

adjective (prenominal)

clearly indicated or shown; explicitly statedan express wish

done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particularan express purpose

of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etcexpress delivery; an express depot

noun

a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly
merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system
mainly US and Canadian 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

by means of a special delivery or express deliveryit went express

Derived forms of express

expresser, nounexpressible, adjective

Word Origin for express

C14: from Latin expressus, literally: squeezed out, hence, prominent, from exprimere to force out, from ex- 1 + premere to press

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

Medical definitions for express

express

[ ĭk-sprĕs′ ]

To press or squeeze out.

To produce a phenotype. Used of a gene.

express

OTHER WORDS FOR express

OPPOSITES FOR express

Origin of express

OTHER WORDS FROM express

Words related to express

How to use express in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for express

Derived forms of express

Word Origin for express

Medical definitions for express