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

She does not place explicit limits on her children's screen time, but says this means they are not "addicted" to their devices and are happy to go to the park or out for a walk.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Nvidia’s investments don’t come with explicit requirements to use the money for its technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

“I’d rather meet them where they are and fold it into an explicit risk budget than pretend it doesn’t exist,” said Patrick Huey, a certified financial planner in Naples, Fla.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Iran’s government is an explicit theocracy with the ayatollah, the supreme leader, maintaining both a religious and political role.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

All the poor lady’s papers were in order; explicit directions regarding the place of burial were given.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Related Words

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