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

User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Notably, these are chemicals that plants produce expressly for defense and signaling, rather than just for basic metabolism. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The officer cited a Miami Gardens city code that bans commercial uses on private property if the city has not expressly authorized those uses. —Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026

Why is the government still using drones, especially for sensitive homeland security purposes, that are expressly prohibited? —Joe Wilkins Published Jan 15, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026

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