convey synonym essay

Synonyms of convey

• as in to transmit
• as in to carry
• as in to cede
• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of convey

Synonyms & Similar Words

• communicate
• disseminate
• contaminate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• come down (with)
• pass (down)
• expropriate

Thesaurus Entries Near convey

Cite this entry.

“Convey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convey. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on convey

Nglish: Translation of convey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of convey for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

The tangled history of 'it's' and 'its', more commonly misspelled words, why does english have so many silent letters, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 5, 12 bird names that sound like compliments, 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), 8 uncommon words related to love, games & quizzes.

Get 25% OFF new yearly plans in our Spring Sale

• Features for Creative Writers
• Features for Work
• Features for Higher Education
• Features for Teachers
• Features for Non-Native Speakers
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

• Dictionaries home
• American English
• Collocations
• German-English
• Grammar home
• Practical English Usage
• Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
• Word Lists home
• My Word Lists
• Recent additions
• Resources home
• Text Checker

Definition of convey verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!

• 3 convey something (to somebody) ( law ) to transfer property from one owner to another The house was conveyed to the new owners last week.

Nearby words

• AI Content Shield
• AI KW Research
• AI Assistant
• SEO Optimizer
• AI KW Clustering
• Customer reviews
• The NLO Revolution
• Press Center
• Help Center
• Content Resources
• Facebook Group

Synonym for Convey — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

Table of Contents

The main thought behind the word “convey” is to aid or promote a message or idea. In this context, a common  synonym for convey  is “ communicate .” In a physical context, we can use “ transport ” to describe the act of moving an object to a different place.

In this guide, we delve into the subtle differences between these words.

Definition of Convey

According to the English dictionary, the verb “ convey ” refers to the act of moving something from one place to another. It can also refer to transferring a message or thought from a sender to an audience.

In a legal context, the act of conveyance refers to the transfer of a  [material or real]  property to its new owner. 

For example:

• When we  convey  information, we pass it to another person.
• A Deed of  Conveyance  represents a transfer of ownership from one party to another.
• That was not the message I meant to  convey .
• The pipes  convey  water from the house to the garden.

Synonyms for Convey — Exploring Words with Similar Meanings

The main idea behind the word “convey” is the act of moving something from one place to another. Any word that describes or relates to this action can serve as a  synonym for convey . Here are some examples we found through a thesaurus:

This verb means to bring or hold something with care. It can refer to concrete and abstract objects. 

• John is respected by society. His words  carry  great significance.
• Please help me  carry  my groceries.

This verb refers to the transfer of something abstract or imperceptible. It is also used in a medical context (e.g., a communicable disease)

• The tower  transmits  the signal to our headquarters.
• A parasite can  transmit  a disease to a host.

This verb refers to the act of bringing something to a destination. It usually connotes that there is a specific recipient or destination.

• Yes, we can  deliver  the package to your address.
• The President will  deliver  his message today.

Antonyms for Convey — Exploring Words with Opposite Meanings

Convey antonyms describes the act of receiving something from someone (as opposed to sending or carrying something). Some examples are:

To take means to get or gain something.

• I hope he knows how to take a message well.

To receive something is to have something come to you. Receiving is the opposite of conveying because when you receive something, you are a recipient rather than a sender of something.

• Did you receive the parcel we sent you?

With these examples of synonyms and antonyms for the word “convey,” you should be able to write a more accurate message. Remember that the English language is diverse and flexible.

There are many ways to convey a message . Considering reading our guides on other words if you want to know more.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

Explore All Synonyms Articles

Happen synonym guide — definition, antonyms, and examples.

Are you looking to use happen synonym examples to spice up your writing? That’s not surprising. As a writer, it’s…

For Example Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

One of the best things you can do to improve as a writer is memorize the synonyms of your favorite…

Expectations Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

If you’re looking to use expectations synonym examples in your writing, you’re in luck. This article explores the various similar…

Environment Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

If you’re looking to use environment synonym examples in your writing, you’re in luck. This article explores the various synonyms…

Effective Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

If you’re looking to use effective synonym examples in your writing, you’re in luck. This article explores the various synonyms…

Discuss Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

As a writer, you should understand the essence of studying the synonyms of your favorite words. By doing so, you…

Scale your content creation with Strategically AI | Talk to us

• " pass on "
• " She conveyed the message to me "
• " The painting of Mary carries motherly love "
• " His voice carried a lot of anger "
• carry the act of carrying something ; move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body; have with oneself; transmit or serve as the medium for transmission; serve as a means for expressing something; bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of; support or hold in a certain manner; contain or hold; extend to a certain degree; continue or extend; be necessarily associated with or result in or involve; win in an election; include, as on a list; behave in a certain manner; have on hand; include as the content; propel; pass on a communication; have as an inherent or characteristic feature or have as a consequence; be conveyed over a certain distance; keep up with financial support; have or possess something abstract; be equipped with (a mast or sail); win approval or support for; compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance; take further or advance; have on the surface or on the skin; capture after a fight; transfer (entries) from one account book to another ; transfer (a number, cipher, or remainder) to the next column or unit's place before or after, in addition or multiplication; pursue a line of scent or be a bearer; bear (a crop); propel or give impetus to; drink alcohol without showing ill effects; be able to feed; have a certain range; cover a certain distance or advance beyond; secure the passage or adoption (of bills and motions); be successful in; sing or play against other voices or parts; be pregnant with
• express by express; not tacit or implied; without unnecessary stops; mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system ; public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes only a few scheduled stops; rapid transport of goods ; give expression to; articulate; serve as a means for expressing something; indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.; manifest the effects of (a gene or genetic trait); obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action; send by rapid transport or special messenger service
• " communicate a disease "
• transmit transfer to another; transmit or serve as the medium for transmission; broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; send from one person or place to another
• communicate transmit information; transmit thoughts or feelings; transfer to another; join or connect; be in verbal contact; administer Communion; receive Communion, in the Catholic church
• " Sound carries well over water "
• " The airwaves carry the sound "
• " Many metals conduct heat "
• impart transmit (knowledge or skills); bestow a quality on; transmit or serve as the medium for transmission
• conduct manner of acting or controlling yourself ; (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people ; direct the course of; lead, as in the performance of a composition; behave in a certain manner; take somebody somewhere; transmit or serve as the medium for transmission; lead musicians in the performance of
• channel transmit or serve as the medium for transmission; direct the flow of; send from one person or place to another; a path over which electrical signals can pass; a passage for water (or other fluids) to flow through; a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record) ; a deep and relatively narrow body of water (as in a river or a harbor or a strait linking two larger bodies) that allows the best passage for vessels; (often plural) a means of communication or access; a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance; a television station and its programs; a way of selling a company's product either directly or via distributors
• " Bring me the box from the other room "
• " Take these letters to the boss "
• " This brings me to the main point "
• bring take something or somebody with oneself somewhere; cause to come into a particular state or condition; cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; go or come after and bring or take back; bring into a different state; be accompanied by; advance or set forth in court; bestow a quality on; be sold for a certain price; attract the attention of; induce or persuade
• take the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property; the act of photographing a scene or part of a scene without interruption ; carry out; require (time or space); take somebody somewhere; get into one's hands, take physically; take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; interpret something in a certain way; take something or somebody with oneself somewhere; take into one's possession; travel or go by means of a certain kind of transportation, or a certain route; pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; receive willingly something given or offered; assume, as of positions or roles; take into consideration for exemplifying purposes; require as useful, just, or proper; experience or feel or submit to; make a film or photograph of something; remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract; serve oneself to, or consume regularly; accept or undergo, often unwillingly; make use of or accept for some purpose; take by force; occupy or take on; admit into a group or community; ascertain or determine by measuring, computing or take a reading from a dial; be a student of a certain subject; take as an undesirable consequence of some event or state of affairs; head into a specified direction; point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards; be seized or affected in a specified way; have with oneself; engage for service under a term of contract; receive or obtain regularly; buy, select; to get into a position of having, e.g., safety, comfort; have sex with; lay claim to; be designed to hold or take; be capable of holding or containing; develop a habit; proceed along in a vehicle; obtain by winning; be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness
• " Get me those books over there, please "
• " Could you bring the wine? "
• " The dog fetched the hat "
• get a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent ; come into the possession of something concrete or abstract; enter or assume a certain state or condition; cause to move; receive a specified treatment (abstract); reach a destination; go or come after and bring or take back; go through (mental or physical states or experiences); take vengeance on or get even; achieve a point or goal; cause to do; succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase; come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes); be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness; communicate with a place or person; give certain properties to something; move into a desired direction of discourse; grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; attract and fix; reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot; reach by calculation; acquire as a result of some effort or action; purchase; perceive by hearing; suffer from the receipt of; receive as a retribution or punishment; leave immediately; reach and board; irritate; evoke an emotional response; apprehend and reproduce accurately; earn or achieve a base by being walked by the pitcher; overcome or destroy; be a mystery or bewildering to; take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; undergo (as of injuries and illnesses); make (offspring) by reproduction
• fetch the action of fetching ; go or come after and bring or take back; be sold for a certain price; take away or remove
• Use AI to generate your SEO article outline Outline Generator
• Analyze the top ten search results for your keyword SERP Analysis
• Generate an SEO-optimized, long-form AI article Article Generator

Scale your content creation with Strategically AI

Finity has a collection of latest 2,500 jobs to join next companies.

• For Talents
• For Companies
• Facebook Group
• Meet the Team

© Finity 2019, All Rights Reserved

Built with love by Grayic

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of convey in English

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

convey verb [T] ( COMMUNICATE )

• Few journalists have managed to convey the full horror of the situation .
• What the book does convey very successfully is the horror of war .
• No report can convey the unspeakable suffering that this war has caused .
• Words alone cannot convey the untold misery endured by people in these refugee camps .
• With a single wag of her finger she managed to convey her total disapproval .
• account (to someone ) for something
• accountability
• adumbration
• demythologize
• inexpressibly
• justificatory
• lay something out
• mansplaining
• undefinable

convey verb [T] ( TAKE )

• carry These rail cars carry coal.
• haul He grew up hauling coal out of the mines six days a week.
• cart The suspects were carted away by police.
• lug I have to lug the shopping in from the car by myself!
• hump He humped the mattress up to his third-floor flat by himself.
• schlep I need to schlep the trash to the curb.
• air freight
• paper round
• pick someone/something up
• transference

convey | American Dictionary

Convey verb [t] ( transport ), examples of convey, translations of convey.

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

a group of four people who play musical instruments or sing as a group

Shoots, blooms and blossom: talking about plants

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• convey (COMMUNICATE)
• convey (TAKE)
• convey (TRANSPORT)
• Translations
• All translations

Add convey to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

Related Words and Phrases

Bottom_desktop desktop:[300x250].

Synonyms of 'convey' in British English

Additional synonyms, synonyms of 'convey' in american english, video: pronunciation of convey.

Browse alphabetically convey

• convertibility
• convertible
• All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'C'

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Score: 0 / 5

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder
• Word of the Day
• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Grammar Coach ™
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

to carry, bring, or take from one place to another; transport ; bear .

to communicate; impart; make known: to convey a wish.

to lead or conduct, as a channel or medium; transmit

Law . to transfer; pass the title to.

Archaic . steal; purloin.

Obsolete . to take away secretly.

Origin of convey

Synonym study for convey, other words for convey, other words from convey.

• con·vey·a·ble, adjective
• pre·con·vey, verb (used with object)

Words Nearby convey

• convexo-concave
• convexo-convex
• convexo-plane
• convex sole
• conveyancer
• conveyancing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use convey in a sentence

I’m also coming back to that idea that the questions that we ask convey information.

Payne points out that while Nextdoor can give users some local information, it can create a warped sense of local reality, and there’s no guarantee it’s accurately conveying the severity of the pandemic in local communities.

Cooking has always been how I convey what I can’t quite put into words.

By familiarizing yourself with their daily routines, interests, and the common areas of need that are sure to come up, it becomes much easier to find a gift that conveys how much you care about your special someone and their experiences.

We correctly conveyed that the storm would not have a major impact on the area, rating it a Category 1 on our five-point scale.

Elisabetta Piqué, who knew Bergoglio well as a cardinal, writes in the present tense as if to convey real time passing.

Overall, Paris Magnum reaches both too widely and too thinly in trying to convey a sense of spectrum.

The home was a direct representation of his character, so in place of dialogue, we used props and set design to convey his story.

In the meantime, who better to convey the film's appeal than Pauline Kael, the fabulous longtime New Yorker movie critic.

The group has also used couriers to convey some messages in order to avoid digital communications altogether.

The carriage, waiting to convey them away, was already at the door, the impatient horses pawing the ground.

In writing K. I try to convey the truth in terms which will neither give him needless anxiety or undue confidence.

Another act of bankruptcy is to convey , transfer, conceal or remove property with the intention to defraud creditors.

As there is no air surrounding the bell there is nothing to convey its vibrations to the ear.

In this she differed from others of her sect, who strove to convey the idea of humility both outwardly and inwardly.

British Dictionary definitions for convey

/ ( kənˈveɪ ) /

to take, carry, or transport from one place to another

to communicate (a message, information, etc)

(of a channel, path, etc) to conduct, transmit, or transfer

law to transmit or transfer (the title to property)

archaic to steal

Derived forms of convey

• conveyable , adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

The Problem With Saying ‘Sex Assigned at Birth’

By Alex Byrne and Carole K. Hooven

Mr. Byrne is a philosopher and the author of “Trouble With Gender: Sex Facts, Gender Fictions.” Ms. Hooven is an evolutionary biologist and the author of “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone That Dominates and Divides Us.”

As you may have noticed, “sex” is out, and “sex assigned at birth” is in. Instead of asking for a person’s sex, some medical and camp forms these days ask for “sex assigned at birth” or “assigned sex” (often in addition to gender identity). The American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association endorse this terminology; its use has also exploded in academic articles. The Cleveland Clinic’s online glossary of diseases and conditions tells us that the “inability to achieve or maintain an erection” is a symptom of sexual dysfunction, not in “males,” but in “people assigned male at birth.”

This trend began around a decade ago, part of an increasing emphasis in society on emotional comfort and insulation from offense — what some have called “ safetyism .” “Sex” is now often seen as a biased or insensitive word because it may fail to reflect how people identify themselves. One reason for the adoption of “assigned sex,” therefore, is that it supplies respectful euphemisms, softening what to some nonbinary and transgender people, among others, can feel like a harsh biological reality. Saying that someone was “assigned female at birth” is taken to be an indirect and more polite way of communicating that the person is biologically female. The terminology can also function to signal solidarity with trans and nonbinary people, as well as convey the radical idea that our traditional understanding of sex is outdated.

The shift to “sex assigned at birth” may be well intentioned, but it is not progress. We are not against politeness or expressions of solidarity, but “sex assigned at birth” can confuse people and creates doubt about a biological fact when there shouldn’t be any. Nor is the phrase called for because our traditional understanding of sex needs correcting — it doesn’t.

This matters because sex matters. Sex is a fundamental biological feature with significant consequences for our species, so there are costs to encouraging misconceptions about it.

Sex matters for health, safety and social policy and interacts in complicated ways with culture. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience harmful side effects from drugs, a problem that may be ameliorated by reducing drug doses for females. Males, meanwhile, are more likely to die from Covid-19 and cancer, and commit the vast majority of homicides and sexual assaults . We aren’t suggesting that “assigned sex” will increase the death toll. However, terminology about important matters should be as clear as possible.

More generally, the interaction between sex and human culture is crucial to understanding psychological and physical differences between boys and girls, men and women. We cannot have such understanding unless we know what sex is, which means having the linguistic tools necessary to discuss it. The Associated Press cautions journalists that describing women as “female” may be objectionable because “it can be seen as emphasizing biology,” but sometimes biology is highly relevant. The heated debate about transgender women participating in female sports is an example ; whatever view one takes on the matter, biologically driven athletic differences between the sexes are real.

When influential organizations and individuals promote “sex assigned at birth,” they are encouraging a culture in which citizens can be shamed for using words like “sex,” “male” and “female” that are familiar to everyone in society, as well as necessary to discuss the implications of sex. This is not the usual kind of censoriousness, which discourages the public endorsement of certain opinions. It is more subtle, repressing the very vocabulary needed to discuss the opinions in the first place.

A proponent of the new language may object, arguing that sex is not being avoided, but merely addressed and described with greater empathy. The introduction of euphemisms to ease uncomfortable associations with old words happens all the time — for instance “plus sized” as a replacement for “overweight.” Admittedly, the effects may be short-lived , because euphemisms themselves often become offensive, and indeed “larger-bodied” is now often preferred to “plus sized.” But what’s the harm? No one gets confused, and the euphemisms allow us to express extra sensitivity. Some see “sex assigned at birth” in the same positive light: It’s a way of talking about sex that is gender-affirming and inclusive .

The problem is that “sex assigned at birth”— unlike “larger-bodied”— is very misleading. Saying that someone was “assigned female at birth” suggests that the person’s sex is at best a matter of educated guesswork. “Assigned” can connote arbitrariness — as in “assigned classroom seating” — and so “sex assigned at birth” can also suggest that there is no objective reality behind “male” and “female,” no biological categories to which the words refer.

Contrary to what we might assume, avoiding “sex” doesn’t serve the cause of inclusivity: not speaking plainly about males and females is patronizing. We sometimes sugarcoat the biological facts for children, but competent adults deserve straight talk. Nor are circumlocutions needed to secure personal protections and rights, including transgender rights. In the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020, which outlawed workplace discrimination against gay and transgender people, Justice Neil Gorsuch used “sex,” not “sex assigned at birth.”

A more radical proponent of “assigned sex” will object that the very idea of sex as a biological fact is suspect. According to this view — associated with the French philosopher Michel Foucault and, more recently, the American philosopher Judith Butler — sex is somehow a cultural production, the result of labeling babies male or female. “Sex assigned at birth” should therefore be preferred over “sex,” not because it is more polite, but because it is more accurate.

This position tacitly assumes that humans are exempt from the natural order. If only! Alas, we are animals. Sexed organisms were present on Earth at least a billion years ago, and males and females would have been around even if humans had never evolved. Sex is not in any sense the result of linguistic ceremonies in the delivery room or other cultural practices. Lonesome George, the long-lived Galápagos giant tortoise , was male. He was not assigned male at birth — or rather, in George’s case, at hatching. A baby abandoned at birth may not have been assigned male or female by anyone, yet the baby still has a sex. Despite the confusion sown by some scholars, we can be confident that the sex binary is not a human invention.

Another downside of “assigned sex” is that it biases the conversation away from established biological facts and infuses it with a sociopolitical agenda, which only serves to intensify social and political divisions. We need shared language that can help us clearly state opinions and develop the best policies on medical, social and legal issues. That shared language is the starting point for mutual understanding and democratic deliberation, even if strong disagreement remains.

What can be done? The ascendance of “sex assigned at birth” is not an example of unhurried and organic linguistic change. As recently as 2012 The New York Times reported on the new fashion for gender-reveal parties, “during which expectant parents share the moment they discover their baby’s sex.” In the intervening decade, sex has gone from being “discovered” to “assigned” because so many authorities insisted on the new usage. In the face of organic change, resistance is usually futile. Fortunately, a trend that is imposed top-down is often easier to reverse.

Admittedly, no one individual, or even a small group, can turn the lumbering ship of English around. But if professional organizations change their style guides and glossaries, we can expect that their members will largely follow suit. And organizations in turn respond to lobbying from their members. Journalists, medical professionals, academics and others have the collective power to restore language that more faithfully reflects reality. We will have to wait for them to do that.

Meanwhile, we can each apply Strunk and White’s famous advice in “The Elements of Style” to “sex assigned at birth”: omit needless words.

Alex Byrne is a professor of philosophy at M.I.T. and the author of “Trouble With Gender: Sex Facts, Gender Fictions.” Carole K. Hooven is an evolutionary biologist, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, an associate in the Harvard psychology department, and the author of “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone That Dominates and Divides Us.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .