Standard Lemma guide

expressly

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɪkˈspɹɛsli/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: EH0 K S P R EH1 S L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In an express or explicit manner; in a clear or specific manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • We were expressly permitted to use the building. See – here is the note from the manager clearly stating that we have permission to use the building.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: explicitly, expressis verbis, clearly, directly, downrightly, expressly, patently, plainly, specifically, unambiguously, unequivocally, univocally

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Exclusively or specifically.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: solely, alone, entirely, exclusively, expressly, merely, only, purely, wholly

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

with specific intentions; for the express purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she needs the money expressly for her patients

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English express Middle English -ly English -ly English expressly From express + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: изрично (izrično) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Bulgarian: категорично (kategorično) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Catalan: expressament — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Czech: výslovně — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Dutch: uitdrukkelijk — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • German: ausdrücklich — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Gothic: 𐍃𐍅𐌹𐌺𐌿𐌽𐌸𐌰𐌱𐌰 (swikunþaba) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Hungarian: kifejezetten — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Hungarian: határozottan — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Indonesian: secara tegas — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Indonesian: dengan jelas — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Indonesian: dengan tegas — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Latin: nōminātim — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Polish: wyraźnie — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Portuguese: expressamente — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Russian: специа́льно (speciálʹno) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Russian: конкре́тно (konkrétno) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Russian: я́вно (jávno) — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Scottish Gaelic: a dh'aon ghnothach — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Spanish: expresamente — in an expressive or explicit manner
  • Swedish: uttryckligen — in an expressive or explicit manner