implied
adj. · v.-
1 suggested but not stated (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatesuggested or understood without being said directly.
suggested or signaled without being explicitly articulated; often used to describe meanings, threats, or agreements.
ExampleThere was an implied threat in his voice, even though he spoke politely.
ExampleThe contract contains an implied warranty that the goods will be fit for their intended purpose, even if not explicitly written in the text.
-
2 suggested (past tense) (v.) B2 Upper Intermediatesuggested something was true without saying it clearly.
the past tense of imply, meaning to indicate or suggest something without stating it directly.
ExampleThe report implied that the company was in serious financial trouble.
ExampleThe researcher implied that the initial data might have been compromised, though she stopped short of accusing her colleagues of negligence.
UsageThis is a transitive verb that often takes a 'that' clause as its object.
PitfallI implied from her letter that she was unhappy.I inferred from her letter that she was unhappy.The speaker 'implies' (gives a hint), but the listener 'infers' (guesses the meaning).