express

[ ik-spres ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put (thought) into words; utter or state:

   to express an idea clearly.

   Synonyms: formulate, word, declare

2. to show, manifest, or reveal:

   to express one's anger.

   Synonyms: indicate

   Antonyms: conceal

3. to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself ), as in speaking, writing, or painting:

   He can express himself eloquently.

4. to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula:

   to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.

   Synonyms: denote, signify, designate

5. to send by express:

   to express a package or merchandise.

6. to press or squeeze out:

   to express the juice of grapes.

7. to exude or emit (a liquid, odor, etc.), as if under pressure:

   The roses expressed a sweet perfume.

8. Genetics. (of a gene) to be active in the production of (a protein or a phenotype).

adjective

1. clearly indicated; distinctly stated; definite; explicit; plain:

   He defied my express command.

   Synonyms: unambiguous, obvious

2. special; definite:

   We have an express purpose in being here.

   Synonyms: singular, particular

3. direct or fast, especially making few or no intermediate stops:

   an express train;

   an express elevator.

   Synonyms: swift, nonstop, rapid

4. used for direct or high-speed travel:

   an express highway.

5. duly or exactly formed or represented:

   an express image.

   Synonyms: precise, accurate

6. pertaining to an express:

   an express agency.

noun

1. an express train, bus, elevator, etc.
2. 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

3. a company engaged in this business.
4. British. a messenger or a message specially sent.
5. something sent by express.

adverb

1. by express:

   to travel express.

2. Obsolete. expressly.

express

/ ɪkˈsprɛs /

verb

1. to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize
2. to show or reveal; indicate

   tears express grief

3. to communicate (emotion, etc) without words, as through music, painting, etc
4. to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc
5. to force or squeeze out

   to express the juice from an orange

6. to send by rapid transport or special messenger
7. express oneself
   to communicate one's thoughts or ideas

adjective

1. clearly indicated or shown; explicitly stated

   an express wish

2. done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particular

   an express purpose

3. of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etc

   an express depot

   express delivery

noun

1. 1. a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly
   2. merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system
   3. an enterprise operating such a system
2. Also calledexpress train a fast train stopping at none or only a few of the intermediate stations between its two termini
3. See express rifle

adverb

1. by means of a special delivery or express delivery

   it went express

Derived Forms

• exˈpressible, adjective
• exˈpresser, noun

Other Words From

• ex·presser ex·pressor noun
• ex·pressi·ble adjective
• ex·pressless adjective
• over·ex·press verb (used with object)
• preex·press verb (used with object)
• quasi-ex·pressed adjective
• reex·press verb (used with object)
• super·ex·press noun
• unex·pressi·ble adjective
• well-ex·pressed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of express¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English expressen, from Latin expressus “pressed out,” past participle of exprimere “to press out”; ex- ¹( def ), press ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of express¹

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

Example Sentences

Mr Edwards has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to express his concern and has asked for an in-person meeting.

From BBC

“You want the scene to emotionally take you to a high point. And when you can’t express that joy or that euphoria in any other way, you break into song. The same is true the other way. You go down to the depths of despair, and in that moment of pain and that moment of anguish, singing is the only way to express how you feel.”

From Los Angeles Times

As Tamate dances to express the emotional weight of the situation, two observers offer a somberly beautiful rendition of “There Is No Other Way.”

From Los Angeles Times

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia remembers seeing Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express” as a teenager and adoring its dreamlike vibe of romantic longing so much that she wanted to hop on the next flight to Hong Kong so she could get lost wandering through the city’s neon-lit streets.

From Los Angeles Times

These details show East End women “still express themselves” even in an expected uniform environment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assert
• communicate
• convey
• declare
• disclose
• give
• hint
• indicate
• put
• reveal
• say
• show
• speak
• suggest
• tell
• voice