1
Core quality
Implied or understood without being directly stated.
Example
The argument contains an implicit assumption about human behaviour.
implicit
/ɪmˈplɪsɪt/ · im-PLIS-itadjective
Implied or understood without being directly stated.
Use implicit to express this relationship precisely: implied or understood without being directly stated.
What implicit Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Criticism is implicit in the essay's comparison.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The agreement gave implicit, though not explicit, approval.
Use implicit Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The argument contains an implicit assumption about human behaviour.
Criticism is implicit in the essay's comparison.
The agreement gave implicit, though not explicit, approval.
Precision Matters
Implicit overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
implicit
vs.Means implied or understood without being directly stated.
explicit
Means stated directly and with complete clarity.
implicit
vs.Means implied or understood without being directly stated.
ostensible
Means stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily genuine or actual.
implicit
vs.Means implied or understood without being directly stated.
infer
Means to reach a conclusion from evidence and reasoning rather than direct statement.
implicit
vs.Means implied or understood without being directly stated.
at face value
Means according only to the apparent or literal meaning, without deeper examination.
Test implicit in Context
The premise is implied but not directly expressed.
1
The model's ___ premise is that prices accurately reflect scarcity, although the authors never state it.