explicit

American  

[ik-splis-it] / ɪkˈsplɪs ɪt /

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.

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explicit ¹ British  

/ 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

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explicit ² British  

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

1. the end; an indication, used esp by medieval scribes, of the end of a book, part of a manuscript, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unexplicit
  adjective
• explicitness
  noun
• overexplicit
  adjective
• quasi-explicit
  adjective
• explicitly
  adverb
• superexplicit
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of explicit

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin explicitus “unfolded, set forth,” variant past participle of explicāre; see origin at explicate

Explanation

Anything explicit is completely clear and includes details. If you don't want your little brother to become a snake snack, you'll need to give him explicit instructions for feeding your pet boa constrictor safely. This adjective describes anything that is clear, detailed, and easy to understand. Explicit orders are easy to carry out, and explicit directions are easy to follow. When someone is explicit, they're not beating around the bush or being confusing. Explicit can also mean "offensive" or "graphic," a description that is sometimes included in parental-advisory warnings about "explicit language" or "explicit violence" in movies.

Example Sentences

Sir Keir Starmer has told firms to either activate built-in features or update operating systems to prevent children from taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Note: This article includes some explicit song titles.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Robinhood, SoFi and E*Trade don’t have explicit minimum portfolio-size requirements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

For all the explicit and widely shared concerns Leo names throughout, there is a through line of genuine love for humanity and what we can do at our best—including with the machines at our side.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Stating the topic is necessary because even the most explicit language can touch on only a few high points of a story.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

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