# tacit

/ˈtæsɪt/ (US) · /tˈæsɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tacit
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

understood without being said or written down. You use this to describe an agreement or a rule that people know exists even if they never talk about it.

For teachers: understood or implied without being explicitly stated. Often describes a form of agreement, knowledge, or social convention that exists by mutual understanding rather than by formal declaration.

## Examples

- There is a tacit agreement that we will not talk about politics.
- The two countries share a tacit understanding that they will not interfere in each other's internal affairs.
- The board of directors reached a tacit consensus on the new policy, even though no formal vote was ever recorded in the minutes.

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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.