express

[ik-spres]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR express 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.

Origin of express

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

Related formsex·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

Synonyms for express

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR express ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Antonyms for express

2. conceal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expressing

Contemporary Examples of expressing

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
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
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
He may have done an excellent job of expressing his sympathies in an appropriate and meaningful way.
Yes, Obama Was Right to Golf After Foley
Daniel G. Hill
August 30, 2014
Reporting it; linking to it; commenting on it; marveling at it; expressing shock and disgust about it.
The Real Nightmare of Ferguson
James Poulos
August 15, 2014

Historical Examples of expressing

In "Lear," Shakespeare was intent on expressing his own disillusion and naked misery.
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
Hinde gaped at him, incapable of expressing himself with sufficient force.
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine
Unused to expressing herself in public, she seemed to be feeling her way.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
Is it necessary that I should defend myself for expressing my displeasure?
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
She has been expressing her anxiety that you should return in time.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for expressing

express

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 Canadianan 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 Formsexpresser, 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

Word Origin and History for expressing

express

late 14c., from Old French espresser "press, squeeze out; speak one's mind" (Modern French exprimer), Medieval Latin expressare, frequentative of exprimere "represent, describe," literally "to press out" (source of Italian espresso; the sense evolution here is perhaps via an intermediary sense of something like "clay that takes under pressure takes the form of an image"), from ex- "out" (see ex-) + pressare "to press, push," from Latin premere (see press (v.1)). Related: Expressed; expresses; expressing.

express

adj.

late 14c., from Old French expres, from Latin expressus "clearly presented," past participle of exprimere (see express (v.)). This led to the noun (first attested 1610s) meaning "special messenger." Sense of "business or system for sending money or parcels" is 1794. An express train (1841) originally ran to a certain station.

Medicine definitions for expressing

express

[ĭk-sprĕs′]

v.

To press or squeeze out.

To produce a phenotype. Used of a gene.

express

verb (used with object)

adjective

noun

adverb

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Origin of express

Synonyms for express

Antonyms for express

Examples from the Web for expressing

Contemporary Examples of expressing

Historical Examples of expressing

express

verb (tr)

adjective (prenominal)

noun

adverb

Word Origin for express

express

express

express

v.