explicit

[ ik-splis-it ]

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. Compare implicit ( def 4 ).

explicit

¹

/ 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

explicit

²

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

(no translation)

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

Derived Forms

• exˈplicitness, noun
• exˈplicitly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·plic·it·ly adverb
• ex·plic·it·ness noun
• o·ver·ex·plic·it adjective
• qua·si-ex·plic·it adjective
• su·per·ex·plic·it adjective
• un·ex·plic·it adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit¹

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

Origin of explicit²

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

Example Sentences

Aranda sent paying customers a zip file stored on MEGA, a file hosting service based in New Zealand, containing the explicit sexual material via Instagram direct message, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Failing that, at least the purchasers within the city of San Diego should have come up empty, considering the city’s explicit ban on online sales of flavored vapes.

From Los Angeles Times

A teenager blackmailed into sending explicit images to catfish killer Alexander McCartney has told of her anger that he used her photograph to trap other young girls.

From BBC

Trump “has been very explicit in what he wants to do,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to blocking abortion access, it likely wouldn’t happen through an explicit nationwide abortion ban.

From Salon

Related Words

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