expressly

adverb

ex·​press·​ly ik-ˈspres-lē 

1

: in an express manner : explicitly

expressly rejected the proposal

2

: for the express purpose : particularly, specifically

made expressly for me

Examples of expressly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The court noted favorably that the trust agreement expressly prohibited the settlor from ever becoming a trustee. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Only the last section, shot during the pandemic, was created expressly to serve this story. —Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 9 May 2025

Even so, Wednesday’s session was not encouraging for those who had hoped an expressly religious charter school would be a step too far, even for this conservative Court. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Lockridge took the place of the left-handed-hitting Wade in center field the past two days while Campusano was brought up expressly to face the abundance of left-handed pitching the Padres are seeing. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expressly

• pressly

Kids Definition

expressly

adverb

ex·​press·​ly ik-ˈspres-lē 

1

: so as to be absolutely clear : explicitly

was expressly forbidden to smoke

2

: for the express purpose : especially

came expressly to congratulate her

Legal Definition

expressly

adverb

ex·​press·​ly

: in an express manner : in definite and distinct terms

acceptance is expressly conditional