expresso

American  

[ik-spres-oh] / ɪkˈsprɛs oʊ /

noun

plural

expressos

1. espresso.

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expresso British  

/ ɪkˈsprɛsəʊ /

noun

1. a variant of espresso

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Usage

What does expresso mean? Expresso is a variant of the word espresso, a kind of strong coffee made by forcing steam or boiling water through ground, dark-roast coffee beans.Is expresso a word?The term expresso originated as a mispronunciation and misspelling of espresso. But it has become used commonly enough to be added to the dictionary. Being in the dictionary doesn’t make it a word—people using it commonly and you knowing what they mean makes it a word!In English, the letter combination es is far less common than ex at the beginning of words. So for many English speakers, it feels more natural to pronounce the beginning of espresso as ex rather than es. This has probably been influenced by the word express, which is associated with speed, and the stimulating effects of espresso’s jolt of caffeine.We know, we know—some people don’t think expresso is a “real word.” But this is how language works. In English, it isn’t all that unusual for variant spellings and pronunciations to become the standard over time. For example, the word bird comes from the Middle English term bryd. The word apron was originally napron, but changed due to the fact that saying a napron sounds a lot like an apron.The word espresso can also refer to a cup of espresso (as in I like to have an espresso after dinner) or an espresso machine (as in I got an espresso so now I can make my favorite drinks at home), and the word expresso can be used in these ways as well.Example: The barista corrected me when I ordered an expresso, but I can’t be held responsible for what I say before I’ve had my coffee.

Etymology

Origin of expresso

By association with express

Compare meaning

How does expresso compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• expresso vs. espresso

Example Sentences

"He is a cherished figure in Portugal, one that almost transcends club rivalries," explains Expresso journalist Diogo Pombo.

From BBC

Speaking to local media outlet Expresso das Ilhas, Ms Brito added that the country did not have the radar equipment required to forecast the extent of the rains.

From BBC

According to Expresso, a leading weekly Portuguese newspaper, he has more than doubled the number of organizations in which he holds a majority share through his company, CR7 SA, over the last two years.

From BBC

Expresso, a leading weekly Portuguese newspaper, has ironically referred to them as 'top secret' numbers.

From BBC

I am in a high-end coffee shop in a tech-heavy area of San Francisco, staring suspiciously into a cup of expresso.

From BBC