adj
Common
explicit
ihk-SPLIHS-iht
Explicit (adj) means Stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing implied. Example: “The teacher was explicit about what the homework should include.”
adj
1
Stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing implied.
"The teacher was explicit about what the homework should include."
"She gave explicit instructions on how to assemble the furniture."
"The contract is explicit about the payment terms."
2
Describing sexual or violent content in a direct, graphic way.
"The website asks visitors to confirm their age before showing explicit material."
"Parents should check whether a game contains explicit scenes."
"The film carries a warning for explicit content."
How to use explicit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClearly and directly stated, with no ambiguity — or, in media, graphically frank.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "implicit," which means suggested or understood without being directly stated — the two are near-opposites.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
explicit instructions
explicit content
sexually explicit
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Word forms
- Plural
- explicits
- Comparative
- more explicit
- Superlative
- most explicit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher was _____ about what the homework should include.
Etymology
From Latin explicitus, "unfolded, disentangled," related to explicare ("to unfold").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for explicit
See all rhymes for explicit →Frequently asked questions
What does “explicit” mean?
The word “explicit” means stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing implied. In plain terms, clearly and directly stated, with no ambiguity — or, in media, graphically frank.
How do you pronounce “explicit”?
“Explicit” is pronounced ihk-SPLIHS-iht (/ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “explicit” in a sentence?
Here is “explicit” used in a sentence: “She gave explicit instructions on how to assemble the furniture.”
What is another word for “explicit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “explicit” include clear, direct, express, monosemic, monosemous and patent.
What is the opposite of “explicit”?
The opposite of “explicit” — its antonyms — are ambiguous, equivocal, implicit, implied and polysemous.
What part of speech is “explicit”?
“Explicit” is an adjective.
Where does the word “explicit” come from?
The word “explicit” comes from Latin. From Latin explicitus, "unfolded, disentangled," related to explicare ("to unfold").
Is “explicit” a common word?
“Explicit” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between explicit and implicit?
Explicit and implicit are opposites. Explicit means stated clearly and in detail with nothing left unsaid, while implicit means suggested or understood without being directly stated.
What is the difference between explicit and clear?
The two overlap but differ in emphasis. Explicit stresses that everything is spelled out directly with nothing implied, while clear stresses being easy to understand; something can be clear in general terms yet not fully explicit about the details.
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