imply

[im-plahy]

verb (used with object)

implied, implying 

1. to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated.

   His words implied a lack of faith.

2. (of words) to signify or mean.

3. to involve as a necessary circumstance.

   Speech implies a speaker.

   Synonyms: demand, require

4. Obsolete.,  to enfold.

imply

/ ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb

1. to express or indicate by a hint; suggest

   what are you implying by that remark?

2. to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence

3. logic to enable (a conclusion) to be inferred

4. obsolete,  to entangle or enfold

Usage

See infer.

Other Word Forms

• reimply verb (used with object)
• superimply verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of imply¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English implien, emplien, from Middle French emplier, from Latin implicāre; implicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of imply¹

C14: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicāre to involve; see _implicate

Example Sentences

In the Puck interview, Michaels implied the show wasn’t going to back down, and when he was asked whether political comedy will be tougher in the current climate, Michaels said no.

From Los Angeles Times

A recent memo from the federal Office of Management and Budget directed federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs in the event of a government shutdown, implying people may not be rehired.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the activity in the town belies the desolation implied by building data that show only 30% of destroyed homes have been replaced.

From Los Angeles Times

But were a conflict to happen, he says he is ready: "We must defend the territory. To wear the uniform already implies a responsibility."

From BBC

Neither did he mean to imply the accused assassin was affiliated with MAGA, he added.

From Salon

Related Words

• entail 
• hint 
• involve 
• mention 
• signify 
• suggest 

When To Use

What's the difference between imply and infer?

To imply is to indicate or suggest something without actually stating it. Infer most commonly means to guess or use reasoning to come to a conclusion based on what has been suggested.Imply and infer can be confused because they’re often used at opposite ends of the same situation. When someone implies something (suggests it without saying it explicitly), you have to infer their meaning (conclude what it is based on the hints that have been given).For example, you might infer that your friend wants cake for their birthday because they keep talking about how much they like cake and reminding you that their birthday is coming up. Your friend didn’t actually ask for cake, but they implied that they want it by giving you hints. You used these hints to infer that they want cake.Of course, there are situations in which you might infer something when nothing was implied or nothing was intended to be implied.Probably due to the association between the two words, infer is sometimes used to mean the same thing as imply—to hint or suggest. Even though this can be confusing, the meaning of infer can usually be easily inferred from the context in which it’s used.Here’s an example of imply and infer used correctly in a sentence.Example: Even though he only implied that he may be in trouble, we correctly inferred that he was.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between imply and infer.