adj
Uncommon
implicit
ihm-PLIH-siht
Implicit (adj) means Suggested or understood without being directly stated. Example: “There was an implicit warning in her tone of voice.”
adj
1
Suggested or understood without being directly stated.
"There was an implicit warning in her tone of voice."
"The contract has an implicit assumption that both parties act in good faith."
2
Complete and unquestioning, usually describing trust or faith.
"The soldiers placed implicit trust in their commander."
How to use implicit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnderstood without being said out loud, or (for trust/faith) total and unquestioning.
Common mistake
Implicit means unstated but understood; explicit means clearly and directly stated — the two are near-opposites, not synonyms.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
implicit bias
implicit trust
implicit assumption
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There was an _____ warning in her tone of voice.
Etymology
From Latin implicitus, past participle of implico ("to entangle, involve"); related to implicate.
Synonyms
View more →
inexplicit
unquestioning
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for implicit
See all rhymes for implicit →Frequently asked questions
What does “implicit” mean?
The word “implicit” means suggested or understood without being directly stated. In plain terms, understood without being said out loud, or (for trust/faith) total and unquestioning.
How do you pronounce “implicit”?
“Implicit” is pronounced ihm-PLIH-siht (/ɪmˈplɪsɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “implicit” in a sentence?
Here is “implicit” used in a sentence: “There was an implicit warning in her tone of voice.”
What is the opposite of “implicit”?
The opposite of “implicit” — its antonyms — is explicit.
What part of speech is “implicit”?
“Implicit” is an adjective.
Where does the word “implicit” come from?
The word “implicit” comes from Latin. From Latin implicitus, past participle of implico ("to entangle, involve"); related to implicate.
Is “implicit” a common word?
“Implicit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “implicit” have?
“Implicit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: suggested or understood without being directly stated.
