ex

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈeks 

: one that formerly held a specified position or place

especially : a former spouse or former partner in an intimate relationship

ex

2 of 8

noun (2)

: the letter x

ex

3 of 8

preposition

1

: out of : from: such as

a

: from a specified place or source

b

: from a specified dam

a promising calf by Eric XVI ex Heatherbell

2

: free from : without: such as

a

: without an indicated value or right

—used especially of securities

b

: free of charges precedent to removal from the specified place with purchaser to provide means of subsequent transportation

ex dock

ex

4 of 8

abbreviation (1)

1

example

2

exchange

3

executive

4

express

5

extra

Ex

5 of 8

abbreviation (2)

Exodus

ex-

6 of 8

prefix (1)

e,

 also occurs in this prefix where only  i,

 is shown below (as in "express") and  ks,

 sometimes occurs where only  is shown (as in "exact") gz

1

: out of : outside

exclave

2

: not

exstipulate

3

(ˌ)eks,

ˈeks

: former

ex-president

ex-

7 of 8

combining form

see exo-

ex-

8 of 8

prefix (2)

variants or before consonants ec-

: out of : away : off

eccentric

ectopic

Examples of ex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Lexington Herald-Leader identified the woman Couch sent the text messages to as his ex-wife. —CBS News, 10 Sep. 2024

Thompson is also dad to daughter True, 6, and son Tatum, 2, with his ex Khloé Kardashian, along with 2-year-old son Theo with Maralee Nichols. —Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024

The best course of action is to pay the bill, then remove your ex as an authorized user ASAP. —Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2024

In the real world, not wanting to be around your ex all the time would be completely understandable, but in an environment where friendships are being monetized and a show is being made, her decision caused frustration among her castmates and fans. —Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

ex- entry 1

Preposition

Latin

Prefix (1)

borrowed from Latin ex- (before vowels and voiceless consonants), ē- (from *egz-, before voiced consonants), from ex, ē, preposition, "out of, from," going back to Indo-European *h₁eḱ-s or *h₁eǵh-s, whence also Old Irish a, as "out of, from," Middle Welsh ech, Greek ex, ek, Lithuanian ìš, ìž, Old Church Slavic iz (with unexplained i in Balto-Slavic); (sense 3) borrowed from Late Latin, as in exconsul "former consul," based on Latin ex in the sense "from being, having formerly held (an office)," as in ex assessōre praefectus praetōriī "advanced from the position of judge's assistant to commander of the Praetorian Guard" (Suetonius)

Prefix (2)

borrowed from Greek ex-, ek-, from ex, ek, preposition, "out of, from" — more at ex- entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1827, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1818, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

circa 1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ex

• deus ex machina
• ex cathedra
• ex-con
• ex-directory
• ex gratia
• ex hypothesi
• ex libris
• ex nihilo
• ex officio
• ex parte
• ex post facto
• ex-voto
• go ex-directory

Kids Definition

ex-

1 of 2 prefix

(ˌ)eks,

ˈeks

: former

ex-president

ex-

2 of 2

see exo-

Etymology

Prefix

from earlier ex- (prefix), from Latin ex- "out of, from"

Medical Definition

ex

abbreviation

1

examined

2

example

3

exercise

Legal Definition

ex-

1 of 2 prefix

: free from : without

Ex.

2 of 2 abbreviation

Exchequer

Etymology

Prefix

Latin ex from, out of