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

Kriemler first discovered Jungwirth’s paintings at Thaddaeus Ropac about five years ago, traveling expressly to Bilbao, Spain, two years ago just to catch the big Jungwirth retrospective at the Guggenheim there. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Nevertheless, the statute expressly includes energy production and construction in its definition of national defense. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

To date, that’s the only public money expressly allocated to combat rats. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Each two-night run starts on Thursday and resumes Saturday, with an entirely different setlist and a fresh collection of bespoke visuals created expressly for the Sphere. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Oct. 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