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

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2023

How to use express in a sentence

It’s a dance that truly expresses what the soul feels in that very moment.
Know Your Flow: The Good Sh*t Guide to Pole Passions|Eugene Robinson|November 12, 2020|Ozy
There’s something in between hardware and the player, and that should be expressed.
PS5 designer: ‘When I started drawing, it was much larger’|Joe Moore|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
He praised Smith’s tempo and control, and he expressed confidence in the 36-year-old, who will start for the foreseeable future with Kyle Allen out with a dislocated ankle.
How Washington’s passing offense clicked against the Giants — and what it means going forward|Sam Fortier|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
She wrote a stream of articles and bulletins expressing gender consciousness.
A modest rebel: The paradoxical personality of Eleanor Roosevelt|Douglas Brinkley|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

Ossoff’s campaign expressed confidence even as Perdue was likely to finish this round about two percentage points ahead.
Control of the Senate heads into overtime as Georgia braces for runoff elections|Paul Kane|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
No one, of course, was “repressing” Klaus or preventing him from “expressing his views,” something he does with abandon.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|James Kirchick|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My survival no longer offers the time, but to see others expressing frustration they can barely put into words is helpful.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
New York City at the time, according to McBride, attracts men and women who are exploring and expressing their sexual difference.
Living Black & Gay in the ’50s|Alain Mabanckou|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the run-up to Tuesday, the national media groaned with opinion columns expressing our love-hate relationship with voting.
What Republicans Need Right Now Is a Good Internal Fight|James Poulos|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He always wants to find little flourishes in her wardrobe that are her way of expressing herself in a rather conservative world.
How Carrie Preston Became The Good Wife’s Favorite Scene Stealer|Kevin Fallon|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dramatic adaptation in expressing various characters, emotions, and motives is potentially very great.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The conservative senate sent a deputation to Bonaparte, expressing their desire that he would accept the title of emperor.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The two men plunged into discussion, and Isabel, her eyes expressing a polite interest, studied the face of her cousin.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Several different ways of expressing the same date will be given in a few cases.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
She had once been almost as emphatic in expressing herself upon the subject as the corner grocer.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

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

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