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

By expressly including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in the directive, the National Fraud Enforcement Division appears to be placing drug and device makers, among others, more clearly in its crosshairs. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026

The Surfside neighborhood, with its ice cream stands, shallow pools, and merry-go-round is built expressly for children, with face painters and balloon animal artists on hand daily and a puppet show to round out the evenings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Now, Neon has countered A24 with an SCP Foundation project that is expressly taking the group’s concerns into account. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Powers not expressly delegated to Congress are reserved to the states. — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 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