# convey

/kənˈveɪ/ (US) · /kənvˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/convey
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to communicate an idea

verb · CEFR B2

to make your ideas, feelings, or thoughts known to other people.

For teachers: to communicate a message, impression, or information, either through language or non-verbal cues.

- The artist used dark colours to convey a sense of sadness in the painting.
- The CEO's speech was carefully drafted to convey confidence to the shareholders without making any concrete promises about the next quarter.

Usage: Often used with abstract nouns like 'message', 'meaning', 'impression', or 'feeling'.

### 2. to transport physically

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to carry or move something from one place to another.

For teachers: to transport or carry goods or materials from one location to another. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The pipes convey water from the lake to the nearby village.
- A complex system of conveyor belts was installed to convey the raw ore from the mine entrance directly to the processing plant.

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'transport' is much more common for people or vehicles; 'convey' is often used for liquids, power, or mechanical systems.

### 3. to transfer property

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to legally give the ownership of land or a building to someone else.

For teachers: to transfer the legal title of property or real estate from one person to another.

- The lawyer prepared the documents to convey the house to the new owners.
- The deed was signed and witnessed to formally convey the ancestral estate to the charitable trust in accordance with the late duke's will.

## Examples

- The artist uses bright colors to convey a sense of joy.
- The manager sent a short email to convey the new office rules to the entire staff.
- While the author never explicitly states her political views, the subtle imagery in the final chapters serves to convey a deep skepticism toward industrial progress.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.