Express — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun adverb /ik-ˈspres/ ex·press

Meaning & Definition of Express

Express (verb)

  1. to represent in words, state
  2. to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)
  3. to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)

Express (adjective)

  1. directly, firmly, and explicitly stated
  2. exact, precise
  3. of a particular sort, specific

Express (noun)

  1. a system for the prompt and safe transportation of parcels, money, or goods at rates higher than standard freight charges
  2. a company operating such a merchandise freight service
  3. a messenger sent on a special errand

Express (adverb)

  1. by express
  2. expressly

Express (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)

    "in a true democracy, a person can freely express his or her views"

    similar: air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice, give air to, put forth
    related: advertise, announce, declare, enounce, enunciate, proclaim, say, broadcast, circulate, disseminate, publish, describe, write, write up, sound off, speak out, speak up, chime in, communicate, convey, put across, put over, offer, submit
    opposite: stifle, suppress
    near: censor, restrain, restrict

  2. to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of

    "except as a fun event at festivals, nowadays people do not make wine by expressing grapes with their feet"

    similar: crush, mash, press, squeeze
    related: ream, pulp, puree, extract, extrude

  3. to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind

    "an upraised thumb is now universally recognized as a gesture expressing approval or encouragement"

    similar: denote, import, intend, mean, signify, spell
    related: connote, imply, suggest, add up (to), amount (to), hint, infer, insinuate, intimate, embody, epitomize, personify, represent, symbol, symbolize, advert, allude (to), cite, instance, mention, refer (to), specify, touch (on or upon), designate, indicate, point (to), signal, announce, declare, proclaim, elucidate, explain

  4. to convey in appropriate or telling terms

    "could you express your opinion of the book in words a little more precise than lousy?"

    similar: articulate, clothe, couch, formulate, phrase, put, say, state, word
    related: craft, frame, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest, paraphrase, rephrase, restate, reword, summarize, translate, communicate, disclose, speak, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize, describe, render, write up

  5. to represent in visible form

    "towering spires express in glass and steel the optimism of the age"

    similar: body, embody, epitomize, externalize, incarnate, incorporate, instantiate, manifest, materialize, personalize, personify, substantiate
    related: actualize, concretize, realize, exemplify, illustrate, image, objectify, symbolize, typify

Express (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of a particular or exact sort

    "a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk"

    similar: concrete, distinct, especial, peculiar, precise, set, special, specific
    related: lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary, distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique, limited, restricted, differentiated, specialized, given, specified
    opposite: nonspecific
    near: general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

  2. so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning

    "students are not allowed to leave the grounds during school hours unless they have express permission from the principal's office"

    similar: clear-cut, definite, definitive, explicit, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal
    related: avowed, declared, specified, stated, categorical, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, full, certain, sure, unmistakable, clear, distinct, lucid, well-defined, exact, precise, direct, literal, plain, simple, straightforward, comprehensible, intelligible, understandable
    opposite: implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague
    near: cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, unclear, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, incomprehensible, unintelligible

Express (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that carries a message or does an errand

    "the solicitors employ an express to deliver their summonses"

    similar: courier, go-between, messenger, page, runner
    related: forerunner, harbinger, herald, agent, ambassador, delegate, deputy, emissary, envoy, representative, bearer, carrier, deliveryman, letter carrier, mail carrier, mailman

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Express

The most common words with a similar meaning to Express:

air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice, crush, mash, press, squeeze, denote, import, intend, mean, signify, spell, articulate, clothe, couch, formulate, phrase, put, say, word, body, embody, epitomize, externalize, incarnate, incorporate, instantiate, manifest, materialize, personalize, personify, substantiate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Express

Words with the opposite meaning of Express:

stifle, suppress, nonspecific, implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague

Related Words for Express

advertise, announce, declare, enounce, enunciate, proclaim, broadcast, circulate, disseminate, publish, describe, write, write up, sound off, speak out, speak up, chime in, communicate, convey, put across, put over, offer, submit, ream, pulp, puree, extract, extrude, connote, imply

Near Antonyms of Express

censor, restrain, restrict, general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, unclear, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, incomprehensible, unintelligible

Word Forms of Express

Inflections: expressed, expressing, expresses

Derived words: expresser (noun), expressible (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Express

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espresser, from expres, adjective

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Express

Words & Phrases Containing Express

Express Mail, express itself/themselves, express lane, express oneself, express train, pony express

Frequently Asked Questions about Express

What does "Express" mean?

"Express" means to represent in words, state. As an a verb, an adjective, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: to represent in words, state. It has 8 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Express"?

Other words for "Express" include air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state and vent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Express" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Express"?

There are 195 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Express". Common alternatives include air, expound, give, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate and voice.

What is the opposite of "Express"?

Antonyms of "Express" include stifle, suppress, nonspecific, implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous and circuitous. Near antonyms include censor, restrain, restrict and general.

How do you use "Express" in a sentence?

Examples of "Express" in a sentence: "in a true democracy, a person can freely express his or her views"; "except as a fun event at festivals, nowadays people do not make wine by expressing grapes with their feet"; "an upraised thumb is now universally recognized as a gesture expressing approval or encouragement".

Is "Express" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Express" can be used as a verb, an adjective, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Express" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Express" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Express"?

"Express" is pronounced /ik-ˈspres/ and divided into syllables as ex·press.