# imply

/ˌɪmˈpɫaɪ/ (US) · /ɪmplˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imply
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to suggest indirectly

verb · CEFR B2

to suggest that something is true without saying it in a direct way.

For teachers: to communicate a meaning or proposition indirectly rather than through explicit statement.

- 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.

### 2. to result in

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to have something as a necessary or natural result.

For teachers: to involve or entail something as a logical or necessary consequence.

- 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.

## Examples

- His tone of voice seemed to imply that he was angry.
- The report does not state the cause of the fire, but it does imply that the wiring was old.
- While the author never explicitly blames the government, the recurring themes of neglect and decay strongly imply a failure of public policy over several decades.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.