implicit

[ im-plis-it ]

adjective

1. implied, rather than expressly stated:

   implicit agreement.

2. unquestioning or unreserved; unconditional: implicit obedience;

   implicit trust;

   implicit obedience;

   implicit confidence.

   Synonyms: total, complete, absolute, unqualified

3. potentially contained (usually followed by in ):

   to bring out the drama implicit in the occasion.

4. Mathematics. (of a function) having the dependent variable not explicitly expressed in terms of the independent variables, as x 2 + y 2 = 1. Compare explicit ( def 5 ).
5. Obsolete. entangled.

implicit

/ ɪmˈplɪsɪt /

adjective

1. not explicit; implied; indirect

   there was implicit criticism in his voice

2. absolute and unreserved; unquestioning

   you have implicit trust in him

3. when postpositive,foll byin contained or inherent

   to bring out the anger implicit in the argument

4. maths (of a function) having an equation of the form f( x,y ) = 0, in which y cannot be directly expressed in terms of x, as in xy + x ² + y ³ x ² = 0 Compare explicit 1
5. obsolete.
   intertwined

Derived Forms

• imˈplicitness, noun
• imˈplicitly, adverb

Other Words From

• im·plic·it·ly adverb
• im·plic·it·ness im·plic·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicit¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin implicitus “involved, obscure,” variant past participle of implicāre; implicate, -ite ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicit¹

C16: from Latin implicitus, variant of implicātus interwoven; see implicate

Example Sentences

The implicit answer to that question is: the attorney general.

From Slate

The health system said it had started instituting measures to improve health outcomes for Black mothers well before the initiation of the federal review, including introducing implicit bias training for obstetrician-gynecologists and nurses, creating new roles focused on “equity for patients and inclusion among our work force,” and distributing more than $2.2 million in grants to local nonprofits working to improve Black maternal health.

From Los Angeles Times

Kennedy has elevated threats to the livelihoods of scientists who have resisted his brand of balderdash from the implicit to the explicit.

From Los Angeles Times

His campaign was constructed on an implicit promise to male voters that Trump was on a mission to restore sexist privileges many men feel have been lost in the #MeToo era.

From Salon

Some believe the existence of assisted dying legislation could create an implicit pressure on terminally-ill people - even if no-one is actively trying to coerce them.

From BBC

Related Words

• constant
• contained
• definite
• implied
• latent
• steadfast
• tacit
• unshakable
• unspoken