The meaning of EX is one that formerly held a specified position or place; especially : a former spouse or former partner in an intimate relationship. How to use ex in a sentence. Someone's ex is a person who was their wife, husband, or partner in the past: 2. used to show…. Learn more. Someone's ex is the person they used to be married to or used to have a romantic or sexual relationship with. Have the Express Credit Card? Remember you get an extra 5%** off every time you use it. View your account or make a payment. © 2026 Express. All rights reserved. According to the DRAE, the prefix ex- is preferred for single words (excapitán - former captain), while ex is preferred for multiword terms (ex primera dama - former first lady) In social relationships, an ex is someone with whom a person was once associated. As a prefix, ex- can refer to a variety of different relationships; for example, one might refer to a music group's ex-guitarist, or someone's ex-friend. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title EX. If an internal link incorrectly led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Ex (informal noun): A short form of example. The term ex is widely recognized for its brevity and versatility, often used to indicate past relationships, roles, or examples. Bundle your stay with a car rental or flight and you can save more. Search our flexible options to match your needs. In this article, we'll break down what i.e., e.g., and ex. all stand for and explain how to use each properly in a sentence. We'll also give you some quick tips for remembering which is which.