explicit

[ ik-splis-it ]

/ ɪkˈsplɪs ɪt /

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See synonyms for: explicit / explicitly / explicitness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal: explicit instructions; an explicit act of violence; explicit language.

clearly developed or formulated: explicit knowledge; explicit belief.

definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken: He was quite explicit as to what he expected us to do for him.

having sexual acts or nudity clearly depicted: explicit movies; explicit books.

Mathematics. (of a function) having the dependent variable expressed directly in terms of the independent variables, as y = 3x + 4.Compare implicit (def. 4).

SYNONYMS FOR explicit

1 express, definite, precise, exact, unambiguous.

3 open, forthright, unabashed.

See synonyms for explicit on Thesaurus.com

ANTONYMS FOR explicit

1 indefinite, ambiguous.

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QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of explicit

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

OTHER WORDS FROM explicit

ex·plic·it·ly, adverbex·plic·it·ness, nouno·ver·ex·plic·it, adjectivequa·si-ex·plic·it, adjective

su·per·ex·plic·it, adjectiveun·ex·plic·it, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH explicit

explicit , implicit, implied

Words nearby explicit

explicans, explicate, explication, explication de texte, explicative, explicit, explicit function, explicitly, explode, exploded view, explodent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for explicit

Weaver also reportedly pushed to come to University of Ottawa, where Allen was studying, using sexually explicit language.
Lincoln Project’s avowed ignorance of Weaver texts undercut by leaked communications|Chris Johnson|February 9, 2021|Washington Blade
In an Axios-Ipsos poll released Tuesday, more than 4 in 10 Republicans indicated that they have already returned to normal levels of in-person gatherings — an explicit rejection of a key tool for stopping the virus’s spread.
What you’re saying when you say that covering the coronavirus is partisan|Philip Bump|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Other moments are more explicit in their terrors, like a fumbling, massive creature chasing you, crushing every bed you crawl out from underneath.
‘Little Nightmares II’ made me dread every moment. And I loved it.|Elise Favis|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
The sting netted charges against 20 accused of trying to persuade children to send explicit photos or meet for sex.
With children stuck at home during coronavirus shutdowns, online sexual predators can swoop in|Dan Morse|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

Since January 1, delivery companies are prohibited from listing California restaurants without explicit permission.
Restaurants Avoiding Big Delivery Apps Have to Get Creative|Kristen Hawley|February 1, 2021|Eater
More than 20 million people tuned in to a broadcast network drama and saw two gay men have explicit sex.
Year of the Butt: How the Booty Changed the World in 2014|Kevin Fallon|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, big dollar advertising campaigns have taken an explicit rainbow-hued slant.
Corporations Are No Longer Silent on LGBT Issues||December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, everyone agrees it has simply reinscribed too big to fail as explicit law.
How Naive is Elizabeth Warren?|Nick Gillespie|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Religion is at the center of this debate over explicit protections for LGBT people.
State of LGBT Rights: Married on Sunday, but Fired on Monday|Gene Robinson|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sex and passion; compulsive, life-changing, soul-altering sex, all to be made more explicit than he had done in the past.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is the Bible revelation so clear and explicit that no difference of opinion as to its meaning is possible?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
In other cases, both the engagement to God, and the engagement of those who Covenant to one another, may be explicit.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
We are thus explicit in stating these points, because we are determined to be understood by all.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
As an instance of explicit references made to the duty, we may advert to the blessing of Moses on the tribe of Levi.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
And, above all, it is necessary that the Free Presbyterian Church should have regard to explicit solemn covenant obligations.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (1 of 2)

explicit¹

/ (ɪkˈsplɪsɪt) /

adjective

precisely and clearly expressed, leaving nothing to implication; fully statedexplicit instructions

graphically detailed, leaving little to the imaginationsexually explicit scenes

openly expressed without reservations; unreserved

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 + zCompare implicit (def. 4)

Derived forms of explicit

explicitly, adverbexplicitness, noun

Word Origin for explicit

C17: from Latin explicitus unfolded, from explicāre; see explicate

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (2 of 2)

explicit²

/ (ɪkˈsplɪsɪt) /

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

Word Origin for explicit

Late Latin, probably short for explicitus est liber the book is unfolded (or complete); shortened by analogy with incipit

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

explicit

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR explicit

ANTONYMS FOR explicit

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of explicit

OTHER WORDS FROM explicit

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH explicit

Words nearby explicit

Example sentences from the Web for explicit

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (1 of 2)

adjective

Derived forms of explicit

Word Origin for explicit

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (2 of 2)

Word Origin for explicit

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

explicit

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR explicit

ANTONYMS FOR explicit

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of explicit

OTHER WORDS FROM explicit

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH explicit

Words nearby explicit

Words related to explicit

Example sentences from the Web for explicit

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (1 of 2)

adjective

Derived forms of explicit

Word Origin for explicit

British Dictionary definitions for explicit (2 of 2)

Word Origin for explicit