implicit
- 01 C1 Advanced
suggested or understood without being stated directly in words.
implied or understood though not plainly or directly expressed; often used to describe meanings in a text or conversation.
Simple“There was an implicit agreement between them that they would share the costs.”
In context“The author's critique of the government was implicit in the way she described the suffering of the townspeople.”
PitfallThe contract was implicit about the rules. The rules were implicit in the contract.Use 'implicit in' to show where the hidden meaning is found.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
complete and total, without any doubts or questions.
having no reservations or doubts; used to describe absolute trust, faith, or obedience.
Simple“The children had implicit trust in their parents to keep them safe.”
In context“The soldiers were expected to show implicit obedience to their commander, regardless of the personal risk involved.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
being a natural or necessary part of something, even if it is not visible.
contained within the essential nature of something but not openly shown or stated.
Simple“The risks are implicit in any new business venture.”
In context“The possibility of failure is implicit in the very nature of scientific experimentation.”
implicit vs explicit — Explicit = directly stated; implicit = suggested but not directly stated.
Usage implicit assumption
“One such mechanism is implicit egotism: We tend to unconsciously prefer things that resemble us.”
“As I began to connect the dots linking dolphins and whites, I wondered about the deeper meaning of such tales – a meaning that is often implicit for those sharing them.”
From Middle French implicite, from Latin implicitus, past participle of implico (“I infold, involve, entangle”); see implicate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.