ex

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈeks

Synonyms of ex next

: one that formerly held a specified position or place

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

2 of 8

preposition

: out of : from: such as

: from a specified place or source

: from a specified dam

a promising calf by Eric XVI ex Heatherbell

: free from : without: such as

: without an indicated value or right

—used especially of securities

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

ex dock

4 of 8

abbreviation (1)

example

exchange

executive

express

extra

5 of 8

prefix (1)

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

: out of : outside

exclave

: not

exstipulate

(ˌ)eks,

ˈeks

: former

ex-president

ex-

7 of 8

prefix (2)

variants or before consonants ec-

: out of : away : off

eccentric

ectopic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Matt Dillon plays Peggy’s ex and Bernadette Peters appears in dual roles best left unexplained for spoiler reasons. —

USA TODAY, 16 May 2023 Arquette is well matched by Matt Dillon as her criminal ex Denny, who tends to steer her toward ruin but also cares about her enough to take a mopey call from her while in the middle of an armed robbery. —

Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023 One complication in their burgeoning relationship may be Jenner's ex Travis Scott's feelings. —

Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 16 May 2023 Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho mother who was recently found guilty of killing her two youngest children and partner’s ex wife, Tammy Daybell, faces up to life in prison for her crimes. —

oregonlive, 16 May 2023 This adds a layer to how Shakira's and Karol G’s right to express themselves is being seen both by the public and by their exes. —

Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 11 May 2023 Two years later, the arrival of an intriguing new neighbor dealing with his own public humiliation scandal holds the potential to bring her career (and her heart) back to life … right when her ex comes back into the picture, threatening the peaceful new existence she's created for herself. —

Ew Staff, EW.com, 10 May 2023 The first episode of the second season will include cases involving exes in legal battles over car loans, trip reimbursements and former best friends suing over a football bet. —

Josie Howell | Jhowell@al.com, al, 9 May 2023 But his family is a huge barrier — namely, their relationship with his ex. —

Wayne And Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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)