imply
ihm-PLEYE
Imply (verb) means to suggest something indirectly without stating it outright. Example: “His silence seemed to imply that he disagreed with the plan.”
verb
1
To suggest something indirectly without stating it outright.
"His silence seemed to imply that he disagreed with the plan."
"Her tone implied that she wasn't convinced."
"Are you implying that I made a mistake?"
2
To lead logically to a conclusion; to have as a necessary consequence.
"If every bird has feathers, being a bird implies having feathers."
"Owning a car usually implies having to pay for fuel and insurance."
"A rise in demand implies a rise in price, all else being equal."
How to use imply
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hint at something without saying it directly, or for one thing to logically lead to another.
Common mistake
Imply and infer are opposites: a speaker implies something; a listener infers it. Don't use "infer" when you mean "imply."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
imply that
strongly imply
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- implies
- Past tense
- implied
- Archaic forms
- impliest, impliedst, implieth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His silence seemed to _____ that he disagreed with the plan.
Etymology
From Old French emplier, from Latin implicare ("to infold, involve"). A doublet of employ and implicate.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for imply
See all rhymes for imply →Frequently asked questions
What does “imply” mean?
The word “imply” means to suggest something indirectly without stating it outright. In plain terms, to hint at something without saying it directly, or for one thing to logically lead to another.
How do you pronounce “imply”?
“Imply” is pronounced ihm-PLEYE (/ɪmˈplaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “imply” in a sentence?
Here is “imply” used in a sentence: “Are you implying that I made a mistake?”
What is the opposite of “imply”?
The opposite of “imply” — its antonyms — is NIMPLY.
What part of speech is “imply”?
“Imply” is a verb.
Where does the word “imply” come from?
The word “imply” comes from Latin. From Old French emplier, from Latin implicare ("to infold, involve"). A doublet of employ and implicate.
Is “imply” a common word?
“Imply” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “imply” have?
“Imply” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to suggest something indirectly without stating it outright.
What is the difference between imply and infer?
Imply means to suggest something indirectly without stating it outright, and it is done by the speaker or writer. Infer means to draw a conclusion from evidence or from what someone else has said, and it is done by the listener or reader, so a speaker implies while a listener infers.
What is the difference between imply and state?
Imply means to suggest a meaning indirectly, leaving the audience to work it out, while state means to say something directly and explicitly. A statement that implies something leaves room for interpretation, whereas a statement that states something leaves no doubt.
Can imply mean to lead logically to a conclusion?
Yes, imply also has a logical sense meaning that one fact necessarily leads to or requires another as a consequence, such as when a set of conditions implies a particular result. This use is common in reasoning, mathematics, and formal arguments.
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