# expressing

/ɪksˈpɹɛsɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛkspɹˈɛsɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. showing feelings or ideas

verb · CEFR B1

showing what you think or feel using words, art, or your face.

For teachers: the act of communicating a thought, feeling, or idea through verbal or non-verbal means.

- She had trouble expressing her anger in a healthy way.
- Expressing complex philosophical ideas in simple language is a skill that many academics struggle to master during their early careers.

Usage: Often followed by a noun phrase or a 'that' clause.

Teaching tip: Remind students that this is the '-ing' form of 'express'; it can be a continuous verb or a gerund (noun).

### 2. biology/genetics

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a gene that is active and doing its job in the body.

For teachers: relating to the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.

- The scientists studied the expressing genes to see how the medicine worked.
- The research team identified several expressing sequences that appeared to correlate with the plant's increased resistance to drought conditions.

Usage: Used as an attributive adjective before a noun like 'gene' or 'cell'.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized sense used in genetics; general learners will likely never encounter it outside of academic science.

## Examples

- She is expressing her feelings through a beautiful painting.
- The students are expressing their concerns about the new school rules during the meeting.
- By expressing his dissent through a formal letter rather than a public protest, the diplomat managed to maintain professional relations while making his position clear.

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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.