convey

convey — verb

1. to communicate a message, emotion, or opinion so that another person understands

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to communicate a message, emotion, or opinion so that another person understands it clearly, using words, actions, or expressions

Example

Aiko struggled to convey her excitement about the scholarship in just a few words.

convey + noun phrase (emotion)

The way Diego folded his arms and frowned conveyed a clear message of disapproval.

convey + noun phrase (message via body language)

Common collocations
  • convey a message
  • convey information
  • convey an impression
  • convey emotion
  • convey meaning
Synonyms
  • communicate

    more general and more common in everyday conversation

  • express

    focuses on putting a specific feeling or idea into words

  • get across

    informal phrasal verb with the same core meaning

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to keep a feeling or idea hidden from others

Grammar Patterns

convey + noun phrase

convey + how/what/why clause

Usage Note

Often modified by adverbs such as 'clearly', 'effectively', or 'accurately'. The recipient is introduced with 'to': 'convey something to someone.'

Common Mistakes

She conveyed him her thanks.
She conveyed her thanks to him.
Unlike 'give' or 'send', 'convey' requires the preposition 'to' before the recipient, not an indirect-object word order.

2. to move someone or something from one location to another, especially by using a

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to move someone or something from one location to another, especially by using a vehicle, pipe, or system designed for that purpose

Example

Tomás used a van to convey the furniture to his new apartment across town.

convey + noun + to + place

Pipelines convey natural gas from the coast to cities far away.

convey + noun + from + place + to + place

Common collocations
  • convey goods
  • convey passengers
  • convey water/gas/oil
  • convey luggage
  • convey someone to
Synonyms
  • transport

    more common for moving goods and people by vehicle

  • carry

    simpler, everyday word that also works for physical movement

  • move

    more general, less specific about the method used

Grammar Patterns

convey + noun + from + place + to + place

Usage Note

More formal than 'take', 'bring', or 'carry'. Common in technical descriptions of transport systems such as pipelines and conveyor belts, and in formal service contexts like hotels.

Common Mistakes

The taxi conveyed us to the station.
The taxi took us to the station.
'Convey' sounds overly formal for everyday services; use 'take', 'drive', or 'bring' for taxis and buses.

3. to send something such as a signal, electricity, or illness between different po

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to send something such as a signal, electricity, or illness between different points, people, or locations, often through a physical medium

Example

Optical fibres convey light signals over long distances with very little loss of quality.

convey + noun + over + distance (technical context)

A mosquito can convey the virus to any person it bites, spreading illness through the community.

Common collocations
  • convey electricity
  • convey a signal
  • convey a virus
  • convey heat
  • convey sound
Synonyms
  • transmit

    more specific to signals and diseases; widely used in technology and medicine

  • transfer

    focuses on the change of position or ownership rather than the medium

Antonyms
  • block

    to stop a signal or disease from passing through

Grammar Patterns

convey + noun + to + person/place

convey + noun + through + medium

Usage Note

Common in technical and scientific writing about electricity, telecommunications, and disease transmission. In everyday speech, 'transmit' or 'carry' is more frequent for this meaning.