# expressly

/ɛksˈpɹɛsɫi/ (US) · /ɛkspɹˈɛsli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/expressly
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. clearly and specifically

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

in a way that is very clear and leaves no doubt about the meaning.

For teachers: in an explicit or clear manner that leaves no room for misinterpretation.

- The contract expressly forbids employees from sharing company secrets.
- The judge noted that the statute expressly prohibits such actions, leaving the court no room for a more lenient interpretation.

### 2. for a specific purpose

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

done for one particular reason or person and nothing else.

For teachers: specifically or exclusively for a particular purpose or recipient.

- This room was built expressly for the purpose of storing old books.
- The new legislation was designed expressly to address the loopholes that had allowed tax avoidance in the previous decade.

## Examples

- The rules expressly forbid smoking in the building.
- The contract expressly states that the deposit is non-refundable if the client cancels within forty-eight hours.
- The constitutional amendment was designed expressly to protect the rights of minority groups who had previously been excluded from the democratic process.

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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.