explicit

[ ik-splis-it ]

adjective

1. fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal:

   explicit instructions; an explicit act of violence; explicit language.

   Synonyms: unambiguous, exact, precise, definite, express

   Antonyms: ambiguous, indefinite

2. clearly developed or formulated:

   explicit knowledge; explicit belief.

3. definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken:

   He was quite explicit as to what he expected us to do for him.

   Synonyms: unabashed, forthright, open

4. having sexual acts or nudity clearly depicted:

   explicit movies; explicit books.

5. Mathematics. (of a function) having the dependent variable expressed directly in terms of the independent variables, as y = 3 x + 4. Compare implicit ( def 4 ).

explicit

¹

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

adjective

1. precisely and clearly expressed, leaving nothing to implication; fully stated

   explicit instructions

2. graphically detailed, leaving little to the imagination

   sexually explicit scenes

3. openly expressed without reservations; unreserved
4. maths (of a function) having an equation of the form y=f ( x ), in which y is expressed directly in terms of x, as in y=x ⁴+ x + z Compare implicit

explicit

²

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

(no translation)

1. the end; an indication, used esp by medieval scribes, of the end of a book, part of a manuscript, etc

Derived Forms

• exˈplicitness, noun
• exˈplicitly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·plic·it·ly adverb
• ex·plic·it·ness noun
• o·ver·ex·plic·it adjective
• qua·si-ex·plic·it adjective
• su·per·ex·plic·it adjective
• un·ex·plic·it adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin explicitus “unfolded, set forth,” variant past participle of explicāre; explicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit¹

C17: from Latin explicitus unfolded, from explicāre; see explicate

Origin of explicit²

Late Latin, probably short for explicitus est liber the book is unfolded (or complete); shortened by analogy with incipit

Example Sentences

He has previously set out his support for a change in the law, but will he make that view explicit again this time?

From BBC

A 23-year-old man accused of an online sextortion scheme in the San Fernando Valley awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to distributing explicit images of minors, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California confirmed Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators found that Aranda received payment via Cash App, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle from online customers who bought the explicit content.

From Los Angeles Times

Aranda sent paying customers a zip file stored on MEGA, a file hosting service based in New Zealand, containing the explicit sexual material via Instagram direct message, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

He admitted to knowing the content involved “minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurate
• categorical
• certain
• clear
• clear-cut
• correct
• definite
• definitive
• exact
• obvious
• positive
• precise
• straightforward
• unequivocal