# express

/ɪksˈpɹɛs/ (US) · /ɛkspɹˈɛs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/express
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to communicate feelings

verb · CEFR A2

to show what you think or feel using words, looks, or actions.

For teachers: to convey a thought, intention, or emotion through verbal or non-verbal communication. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

- It is often difficult to express exactly how you feel in a new language.
- The artist sought to express the isolation of modern urban life through a series of minimalist landscapes.

### 2. to squeeze out

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to press or squeeze something out, like juice from a fruit or milk.

For teachers: to force or squeeze out a liquid or substance from a container or source. Often used in medical or culinary contexts.

- The recipe says to express the juice from the lemon directly into the bowl.
- The lactation consultant demonstrated how to manually express milk to relieve the pressure and maintain supply.

### 3. fast service

adjective · CEFR A2

designed to be very fast, like a train that does not stop at every station.

For teachers: denoting a high-speed service or transport method that bypasses intermediate stops to ensure rapid delivery or arrival.

- We took the express train to the city to save thirty minutes of travel time.
- The courier company offers an express delivery option for documents that must reach the capital before the close of business.

### 4. clear and specific

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

clearly and directly stated so there is no doubt about the meaning.

For teachers: explicitly and clearly stated; leaving no room for doubt or implication.

- He acted against my express wishes by inviting them to the party.
- The contract was signed with the express purpose of preventing any future disputes regarding intellectual property ownership.

### 5. a fast train

noun · CEFR B1

a train or bus that travels quickly and stops at only a few important places.

For teachers: a vehicle, particularly a train, that operates on a fast schedule by omitting minor stops.

- The midnight express was the only way to get home after the concert ended.
- Commuters often prefer the morning express, despite the higher fare, because it reduces the journey time by nearly half.

## Examples

- I am taking the midnight express to the capital.
- The morning express is usually crowded with commuters who want to reach the city center in under thirty minutes.
- While the local service serves every village along the coast, the express bypasses smaller stations entirely to maintain its strict hourly schedule between the two metropolitan hubs.

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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.