ex
ex — noun
1. someone's former spouse or romantic partner — the relationship between them ende
someone's former spouse or romantic partner — the relationship between them ended
Ziad still speaks to his ex on the phone sometimes.
possessive determiner + ex
Valentina ran into her ex at the grocery store last Saturday.
informal register: run into + ex
When Otis got married, he did not invite any of his exes.
plural form: exes
My ex and I still share custody of the dog we adopted together.
Nila asked her ex to return the spare keys to her apartment.
- my ex
- her ex
- his ex
- run into an ex
- exes
- stay friends with an ex
- former partner
more formal and neutral in tone
- former spouse
specifically for an ex-husband or ex-wife; more legal in register
Grammar Patterns
my/his/her/their + ex
ex + (optional: wife/husband/partner)
Usage Note
Used as a standalone noun without specifying 'wife'/'husband'/'boyfriend' — the relationship is implied. Plural form 'exes' is common in informal speech.
Common Mistakes
ex — preposition
1. from a particular source or origin — used mostly in formal and legal language to
from a particular source or origin — used mostly in formal and legal language to show where something comes from or is taken out of
The court ordered the documents to be produced ex parte by the plaintiff.
legal phrase: ex parte
Goods imported ex ship must be collected from the port within forty-eight hours.
commercial term: ex ship / ex warehouse
The price quoted is ex warehouse in Taipei, excluding delivery costs.
commercial term: ex warehouse + location
Grains delivered ex vessel are the buyer's responsibility after unloading.
- ex parte
- ex ship
- ex warehouse
- ex works
- ex gratia
- in
into / within, opposite of 'out of'
Grammar Patterns
ex + [source/origin noun]
Usage Note
This sense survives primarily in fixed phrases (ex parte, ex ship, ex warehouse, ex gratia). Not used as a productive preposition in modern English outside legal and commercial jargon.
2. used to mean 'coming from' a particular place or source, especially in set Latin
used to mean 'coming from' a particular place or source, especially in set Latin expressions and scholarly writing
The scholar argued that the entire argument flows ex hypothesi from that single premise.
Latin phrase: ex hypothesi
This passage is quoted ex fonte from the original Latin manuscript.
Ex cathedra statements by the committee chair carried great authority.
Latin phrase: ex cathedra
Ex silentio, the absence of evidence does not confirm the opposite claim.
Latin phrase: ex silentio (from silence)
- ex hypothesi
- ex cathedra
- ex fonte
- ex silentio
- from
common English equivalent
Grammar Patterns
ex + [place/source]
Usage Note
Almost entirely restricted to fixed Latin borrowings in academic and formal writing (ex hypothesi, ex cathedra, ex fonte). Not freely combined with English nouns.
3. used in the Latin phrase 'ex nihilo' to describe something created from nothing,
used in the Latin phrase 'ex nihilo' to describe something created from nothing, without any pre-existing material
The theologian explained the doctrine of creation ex nihilo to the class.
Latin phrase: ex nihilo (creation from nothing)
Scientists reject the idea that matter can appear ex nihilo in a vacuum.
The principle 'ex nihilo nihil fit' means nothing comes from nothing.
Latin proverb: ex nihilo nihil fit
Philosophers debate whether moral values can arise ex nihilo or must come from somewhere else.
- ex nihilo
- ex nihilo nihil fit
- creation ex nihilo
Grammar Patterns
ex + [substance/material]
Usage Note
This sense occurs almost exclusively in the fixed Latin phrase 'ex nihilo' (out of nothing), used in theology, philosophy, and physics. The related proverb 'ex nihilo nihil fit' (nothing comes from nothing) is also common.
4. used to indicate that something is excluded, lacking, or free from a particular
used to indicate that something is excluded, lacking, or free from a particular right, charge, or benefit
Shares trading ex dividend do not give the buyer the right to the next payment.
finance term: ex dividend
The phone number is ex directory and will not appear in any phone book.
ex-directory: not listed in public directory
After the record date the stock began trading ex rights on the exchange.
finance term: ex rights
The bond is trading ex coupon this week before the next interest payment date.
- ex dividend
- ex rights
- ex interest
- ex coupon
- ex-directory
Grammar Patterns
ex + [right/value/item]
Usage Note
Most commonly found in financial contexts (ex dividend, ex rights, ex interest, ex coupon). The word 'ex' here functions as a preposition meaning 'without benefit of' or 'excluding.'
5. used before a specific title and the particular name of the person who held it,
used before a specific title and the particular name of the person who held it, forming a phrasal expression like 'ex-President Carter' — unlike the prefix sense (which attaches to the role noun alone, e.g. any ex-president), this structure explicitly names both the role and the specific individual
Ambassador Kwame Ansah, ex-Ambassador to Japan, now teaches at a university.
ex- + title + location: ex-Ambassador to Japan
The building was renamed, but the old sign still read 'ex-Governor's Mansion'.
ex- + official title: ex-Governor's
Dr. Takeshi Mori, ex-Dean of the medical school, received a lifetime award.
Ex-Mayor Hernandez attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new library.
ex- + elected title + name
- ex-Governor
- ex-President
- ex-Ambassador
- ex-Mayor
- ex-Dean
- former
more formal; preferred in journalism and official contexts with named individuals
Grammar Patterns
ex- + [title] + [name]
Usage Note
Differs from the prefix sense in that it forms a phrase with a title and a specific name (ex-President Obama), rather than functioning as a general modifier on a common noun (ex-president).
Common Mistakes
6. This is not a separate preposition meaning. Using 'ex-' before nouns of roles, j
This is not a separate preposition meaning. Using 'ex-' before nouns of roles, jobs, or memberships (ex-cop, ex-teacher, ex-smoker) to mean 'former' is the same as the prefix sense — it is the prefix 'ex-' attaching to the noun, not the preposition. For full treatment, see prefix/1, 'FORMER STATUS'.
For 'former' in words like ex-cop, see the prefix entry (prefix/1).
cross-reference to prefix/1
The 'ex' in ex-smoker is a prefix meaning 'former', not a preposition.
Words like ex-soldier and ex-husband use the prefix ex-, not a preposition.
prefix ex- vs. preposition ex
Genuine preposition 'ex' (ex parte, ex gratia) means 'out of' or 'from', not 'former'.
A payment made ex gratia is a favour, not a legal obligation.
genuine preposition use: ex gratia
Usage Note
All 'former' uses of ex- (ex-cop, ex-teacher, ex-smoker, ex-colleague) are prefix uses, not preposition uses. This sense is listed as a cross-reference only to prevent confusion. The true preposition 'ex' (Latin 'out of, from') appears in senses 1–4 above.
ex — abbreviation
1. written abbreviation for 'example', used in textbooks, exercises, and references
written abbreviation for 'example', used in textbooks, exercises, and references to point to illustrative items
Complete the sentences below and check your answers on page 45, ex. 12.
ex. + number for exercise numbering
The teacher asked the class to turn to chapter three and look at ex. 7.
For homework, please finish all the grammar questions from ex. 1 through 8.
The workbook has a separate answer key at the back for all ex. items.
- ex. 1
- ex. 2
- see ex.
- ex. above
- ex. below
- e.g.
abbreviation for 'for example', used in general writing rather than numbered references
Grammar Patterns
ex. + [number]
e.g. = for example
Usage Note
Do not confuse 'ex.' with 'e.g.' (exempli gratia). 'Ex.' specifically refers to a numbered exercise or illustrative example in a book; 'e.g.' introduces a list of examples in general writing.
Common Mistakes
2. written abbreviation for 'exchange', used in names of financial markets and busi
written abbreviation for 'exchange', used in names of financial markets and business institutions
The stock was listed on the New York Stock Ex. in 2019.
Ex. = Exchange in company names
Commodity prices on the London Metal Ex. fell sharply this morning.
The bill of ex. must be presented at the bank within thirty working days.
The rate shown is the mid-market Foreign Ex. rate as of noon today.
- Stock Ex.
- Metal Ex.
- bill of ex.
- Foreign Ex.
- exchange
full form, always appropriate
Grammar Patterns
Ex. = Exchange (in names)
Usage Note
Most commonly appears in the names of stock and commodity exchanges (NYSE variant 'Stock Ex.', LME as 'Metal Ex.'). In banking documents 'bill of ex.' stands for 'bill of exchange.'
3. written abbreviation for 'executive', used in job titles and corporate role desc
written abbreviation for 'executive', used in job titles and corporate role descriptions
Rohan serves as Ex. Vice-President of operations at the regional office.
Ex. = Executive in job title
The Ex. Committee will review the budget proposal on Monday afternoon.
Ex. Committee = Executive Committee
Sade was promoted to Ex. Director of the non-profit organisation last spring.
As Ex. Producer of the film, Tamar managed the entire production budget.
Ex. Producer = Executive Producer
- Ex. Dir.
- Ex. VP
- Ex. Committee
- Ex. Officer
- Ex. Board
- executive
the full form, clearer in most contexts
Grammar Patterns
Ex. Dir. = Executive Director
ex. = executive in job titles
Usage Note
Primarily appears in corporate letterheads, organisational charts, and formal titles to save space. In spoken English or running text, the full word 'executive' is preferred.
4. written abbreviation for 'express', referring to a fast train, bus, or delivery
written abbreviation for 'express', referring to a fast train, bus, or delivery service
The 8:15 Ex. train from London reaches Manchester in just over two hours.
Ex. = Express train service
Please send this package by Ex. Mail so it arrives before Saturday.
The airline offers an Ex. check-in lane for passengers with no checked bags.
Passengers on the 17:45 Ex. service should go to platform number seven.
- Ex. train
- Ex. Mail
- Ex. service
- Ex. lane
- Ex. delivery
Grammar Patterns
Ex. = Express (in transport names)
Usage Note
Common on timetables, shipping labels, and service names. The full word 'express' is standard in ordinary speech and writing.
5. written abbreviation for 'extra', referring to an additional person, item, or fe
written abbreviation for 'extra', referring to an additional person, item, or feature beyond the standard number
The film studio hired fifty ex. actors for the crowd scene downtown.
ex. = extra as background actors
Please add ex. blankets to room 214 for the guests with young children.
The hotel charges a small fee for ex. beds in the guest rooms.
ex. = extra item (beds)
The contract allows for ex. staff to be brought in during peak seasons.
- ex. actor
- ex. blanket
- ex. bed
- ex. fee
- ex. charge
- extra
the full form, appropriate in all contexts
- additional
more formal than 'extra'
- standard
the regular or default amount
Grammar Patterns
ex. = extra (in lists, schedules, roles)
Usage Note
Most common on invoices, inventory lists, and film production schedules. In everyday writing, 'extra' is preferred.
6. written abbreviation for the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible and of
written abbreviation for the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible and of the Torah
The Sunday sermon was based on a passage from Ex. chapter fourteen.
Ex. = Book of Exodus
Students were asked to read Ex. 20: 1–17 for the theology seminar.
The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Bible, once in Ex. and once in Deuteronomy.
The rabbi's lecture on Ex. 16 explored the story of manna in the wilderness.
- Ex. chapter
- Ex. verse
- book of Ex.
- Ex. 20
- Exodus
the full book name, used in running text
Grammar Patterns
Ex. = Book of Exodus
Usage Note
Standard abbreviation in biblical citations, alongside other book abbreviations (Gen., Lev., Deut.). Always capitalised as 'Ex.'
7. abbreviation for 'exa-', a metric prefix meaning one quintillion (10¹⁸), most co
abbreviation for 'exa-', a metric prefix meaning one quintillion (10¹⁸), most commonly used in computing for data storage (exabyte)
The data centre now stores over two exabytes (2 EB) of customer information.
EB = exabyte notation
Global internet traffic is projected to reach several hundred exabytes per month.
A single exabit network can transfer data at extremely high speeds across continents.
exabit = exa- + bit
A single exaflop supercomputer can perform one quintillion calculations each second.
exaflop = exa- + flop (computing speed)
- exabyte
- EB
- exabit
- exaflop
Grammar Patterns
exa- + [unit of measurement]
Usage Note
The prefix 'exa-' (symbol E) is part of the International System of Units (SI). In computing, exabyte (EB) = 10¹⁸ bytes. The abbreviation 'ex.' for this sense is less standard than the symbol E or EB.
ex — prefix
1. attached to a role or title to indicate the person had it earlier but does not h
attached to a role or title to indicate the person had it earlier but does not have it any longer
An ex-president sometimes continues to influence public debates.
ex- + title: ex-president
Dario's father is an ex-soldier who now runs a small shop in town.
ex- + role: ex-soldier
The ex-manager wrote a book about her years leading the company.
Eshe met an ex-police officer at the community meeting last night.
Several ex-players from the national team now work as coaches.
ex- + profession: ex-players
- ex-president
- ex-husband
- ex-teacher
- ex-soldier
- ex-colleague
- ex-wife
- ex-boyfriend
- ex-girlfriend
Grammar Patterns
ex- + [title/role/job]
Usage Note
A productive prefix that can attach to most job titles, roles, and official positions. General rule: hyphenate 'ex-' with the following word ('ex-teacher', 'ex-husband').
Common Mistakes
ex — combining form
1. a variant of the combining form 'exo-' (meaning 'outside' or 'external'), appear
a variant of the combining form 'exo-' (meaning 'outside' or 'external'), appearing in technical and scientific vocabulary
The prefix ex- in words like 'exoskeleton' is a shortened form of exo-.
ex- = exo- (outside) in scientific terms
In biology class, Quan studied how the ex- skeleton protects insects.
The exocrine glands release substances through ducts rather than directly into the blood.
exocrine = ex- + -crine (secrete)
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere and is very thin.
exosphere = ex- + sphere
- exoskeleton
- exosphere
- exocrine
- exothermic
Usage Note
This combining form appears in words such as 'exoskeleton', 'exocrine', and 'exosphere'. It is not a productive standalone prefix in everyday English. Refer to the entry for 'exo-' for full treatment.
Word family
- exesnoun pluralB1
- exo-prefixC1
- ex-prefixB1
- ex parteadverbC2
- ex officioadjective / adverbC2
- ex gratiaadjective / adverbC2
- ex-directoryadjectiveC1
- ex-dividendadjectiveC2
- ex-servicemannounB2
- ex-wifenounB1
- ex-husbandnounB1
- ex-boyfriendnounB1
- ex-girlfriendnounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: prefix/1
All five words indicate that a role, title, or state no longer applies. 'Ex-' is a prefix that attaches directly to a noun (ex-president, ex-husband), making it compact and slightly informal. 'Former' is an adjective used before a noun (former president) and is the standard choice in journalism, legal documents, and formal writing. 'Past' is narrower in scope — it is largely restricted to titles held sequentially over time (past president, past chairman), implying a clear succession. 'Previous' focuses on the immediately preceding holder (previous owner, previous manager) and is common in administrative contexts. 'One-time' is more informal and emphasises that the person held the role at some earlier point without specifying whether it was the immediate predecessor. For example: 'the ex-president left the country' sounds slightly less formal than 'the former president left the country'; 'the previous owner kept the house in good condition' is natural for real estate; and 'a one-time colleague of mine' works well in conversation.
Common collocations
Phrases
- ex officio
- ex parte
- ex gratia
- ex nihilo
- ex dividend
- ex rights
- ex post facto
- ex cathedra
- ex hypothesi
Etymology
The word 'ex' comes directly from Latin, where it functioned as a preposition meaning 'out of' or 'from'. This Latin preposition passed into English through two routes: (1) as a standalone Latin borrowing in formal and legal phrases (ex parte, ex gratia, ex officio), and (2) as a prefix attached to Latin-derived English words (export, exclude, extract). The use of 'ex-' to mean 'former' (ex-husband, ex-president) developed in English during the 19th century, probably influenced by the sense of 'no longer in office' found in Latin phrases like 'ex-consul'. The abbreviation senses (ex. for example, exchange, etc.) are independent 20th-century developments in English from the first two letters of those words.