expressly

[ ik-spres-lee ]

adverb

1. for the particular or specific purpose; specially:

   I came expressly to see you.

2. in a clear, direct, or definite manner; explicitly:

   I asked him expressly to stop talking.

expressly

/ ɪkˈsprɛslɪ /

adverb

1. for an express purpose; with specific intentions
2. plainly, exactly, or unmistakably

Other Words From

• unex·pressly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of expressly¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; express, -ly

Example Sentences

By and large, the stories tend to feature a heroine fleeing the city to take refuge in conservative, if not expressly partisan, predominantly white small towns.

From Los Angeles Times

Local people said e-bike riders raced around the town clock, which is on a roundabout in the middle of the town, ignoring a road sign that expressly forbids it.

From BBC

The most obvious of those concerns climate change: If Trump returns to the White House, he will almost certainly dismantle most or all climate mitigation efforts, as expressly advocated by Project 2025.

From Salon

An Arlington National Cemetery official has confirmed that an “incident” took place, noting that filming political ads is expressly prohibited by federal law.

From Salon

The beach city Tuesday became the first in San Diego County to expressly ban smoking and vaping of cannabis and nicotine products inside all local multifamily residential buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• categorically
• explicitly
• plainly
• pointedly
• specifically
• unequivocally
• unmistakably