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.

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 /

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

Other Word Forms

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

In September, the government said it would change the law to stop the Sentencing Council issuing new guidelines to courts in England and Wales without the explicit approval of the justice secretary.

From BBC

The court used its newly fashioned "major questions doctrine" to stymie Biden's efforts at student loan forgiveness and environmental regulations, holding that Congress did not give him explicit authorisation to do so.

From BBC

Yet Hamas' decision to enter the talks without explicit preconditions could also be seen as a recognition of its limited leverage after nearly two years of war.

From BBC

Within minutes, "Jenny" persuaded him to share explicit images of himself and immediately began ruthlessly blackmailing him.

From BBC

But, speaking Tuesday, he was even more explicit than in embracing violence against his political opposition, urging members of the military to respond to aggressive protests with force.

From Salon

Related Words

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