1
Core quality
Understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
Example
The committee gave tacit approval by raising no objection.
tacit
/ˈtæsɪt/ · TAS-itadjective
Understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
Use tacit to express this relationship precisely: understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
What tacit 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
Their silence suggested a tacit agreement.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The custom rests on tacit rules that newcomers must infer.
Use tacit Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The committee gave tacit approval by raising no objection.
Their silence suggested a tacit agreement.
The custom rests on tacit rules that newcomers must infer.
Precision Matters
Tacit overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
tacit
vs.Means understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
implicit
Means implied or understood without being directly stated.
tacit
vs.Means understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
explicit
Means stated directly and with complete clarity.
tacit
vs.Means understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
acknowledge
Means accept, admit, or recognise the existence or validity of a fact, claim, limitation, or contribution.
tacit
vs.Means understood, accepted, or implied without being directly spoken or written.
ostensible
Means stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily genuine or actual.
Test tacit in Context
The consent is implied by conduct rather than stated explicitly.
1
By continuing the programme without objection, the council gave its ___ consent.