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

By not expressing her concerns, she demonstrated an incredible lack of moral courage.

From Washington Post

When cheer parent Jonathan Ingalls questioned the decision in messages on the BAND app, where parents communicate with coaches, other parents also chimed in to express concerns.

From Voice of San Diego

The Pennsylvania ruling is an example, she said, but judges have expressed qualms even in rulings that upheld restrictions.

From Washington Post

The comments, which echo suspicions Biden has expressed in recent weeks, highlight the extraordinary division between the two candidates.

From Washington Post

Olympus and Panasonic have both recently expressed their commitment to the much-smaller Micro Four Thirds format, but Canon’s EOS-R and Nikon’s first-generation Z mirrorless cameras have seriously come down in price.

From Popular-Science

He prefers to express himself through Twitter and leave it at that.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, police have constitutional rights to express themselves.

From The Daily Beast

The NYPD remained his ultimate goal as he went to work as a carrier for Airborne Express/DHL and then as a school safety officer.

From The Daily Beast

The second is strangled tongue disease, the English inability to express real feelings in conversation.

From The Daily Beast

The idea that I might simply want to express my independent thoughts was alien to them.

From The Daily Beast

It is the development of character, the triumph of intellectuality and spirituality I have striven to express.'

From Project Gutenberg

The fire along the three miles front is like the rumble of an express train running over fog signals.

From Project Gutenberg

If one has thoughts to express, it is possible to learn very soon some method of construction.

From Project Gutenberg

You know I don't express myself easily; so, if I break out this way, you may know what I feel.

From Project Gutenberg

Tim says more by the vigor of his smoking than Perry Thomas could express in a year's oration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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