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

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

Last month, he claimed that he refrained from prosecuting Clinton during his first term because “it would look terrible” — an implicit bow to political constraints.

From Los Angeles Times

And it’s likely that the Supreme Court would and should find such a principle implicit in the Constitution: The federal government could hardly function if the states had that power.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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