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

Research from health psychology, meanwhile, suggests that people need both explicit information about the threat — for instance, that smoking can cause lung cancer — and what they can do to avoid it.

From Salon

Although he had no explicit definition of irony, he theorized that humans are strongly influenced by symbols expressed through myths and dreams or other cultural touchstones.

From Salon

But the most frustrating thing for Mwape is that his second-oldest son is never explicit about what drugs he is taking, how he gets hold of them - and often obfuscates when asked a question.

From BBC

The implication, which subsequent comments will make explicit, is that he has lost himself — as one friend says, “going with your career, your ambition, your whims, then lying to yourself about it the whole while.”

From Los Angeles Times

Around the same time, a widely watched program on Russian state TV aired decades-old explicit photos of former and soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump, a onetime model, while its hosts openly smirked.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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