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

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

Etymology

Origin of explicit

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

Example Sentences

These designs stand out visually, but they also make it possible to write explicit integral representations of functions, which are essential for solving complex boundary value problems.

From Science Daily

There isn’t a self-pitying page or explicit account of violence in the book.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the previous guidelines encourage Americans to strike a balance between different food groups and avoid focusing on single nutrients, the new version lays out more explicit guidance.

From Barron's

Greenland’s status within the Kingdom of Denmark has been a subject of domestic political fights for decades, and Danish laws are fairly explicit on how change could occur.

From The Wall Street Journal

It could pass legislation explicitly prohibiting the use of military force against Canada, Greenland, Panama, Colombia, Cuba or any other country without explicit congressional authorization.

From Salon

Related Words

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