Word
imply
Phoneticsim·ply, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɫaɪ/
UK/ɪmplˈaɪ/
Definitions
01to suggest indirectly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to suggest that something is true without saying it in a direct way.
v. to communicate a meaning or proposition indirectly rather than through explicit statement.
日本語:ほのめかす※
“The article seemed to imply that the mayor was lying about the budget.”
“Although the CEO never mentioned layoffs, her focus on 'aggressive cost-cutting' seemed to imply that the workforce would soon be reduced.”
Usage
Often followed by a 'that' clause.
Pitfall
I implied from his tone that he was angry.
I inferred from his tone that he was angry.
The speaker 'implies' (sends the message), but the listener 'infers' (receives the message).
02to result in
C1 · Advanced Science Academic
v. to have something as a necessary or natural result.
v. to involve or entail something as a logical or necessary consequence.
日本語:含む※
“High levels of pollution usually imply a lack of environmental laws.”
“The existence of these specific fossils implies that the region was once covered by a shallow tropical sea.”
Usage
Common in academic and scientific writing to describe cause and effect.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “imply” in context.
Verb
01. imply existence
“The presence of water on the planet may imply the existence of life.”
verb + noun
02. imply lack
“His silence should not be taken to imply a lack of interest in the project.”
verb + noun
03. imply relationship
“The data seem to imply a direct relationship between poverty and crime rates.”
verb + noun
04. necessarily imply
“A high price does not necessarily imply that the product is of high quality.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. assumption imply
“What does this basic assumption imply for the future of our research?”
noun + verb
06. concept imply
“The concept implies that all individuals should have equal access to healthcare.”
noun + verb
07. finding imply
“These new findings imply that the current treatment may be ineffective.”
noun + verb
08. theory imply
“The theory implies that the universe is constantly expanding.”
noun + verb
Confusables
Imply is the act of sending a hidden message; infer is the act of decoding it.
RememberImply = Sender. Infer = Receiver.
Real-World Examples
“This implies a total cost of around £1.4bn to provide this NHS service across the UK population of 70 million people.” “I learned how to dial in espresso, how to make a pour-over (not nearly as simple as the name implies).” “See you later implies that it won’t be long before we see each other again.” “While using the term “Islam”, what that implies is that we need fewer Muslims to keep British shores safe .” Etymology
From Middle English implien, emplien, borrowed from Old French emplier, from Latin implicare (“to infold, involve”), from in (“in”) + plicare (“to fold”). Doublet of employ and implicate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/imply
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0