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

• explicitness noun
• explicitly adverb
• 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 a speech, a Chinese government official was explicit about Beijing’s ambitions, saying it wanted to “strengthen China’s control over global rare earth resources,” according to state media.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The court heard how Jones would contact the victims and gain their trust before asking them to send explicit photos and videos of themselves.

Read more on BBC

And his explicit lyrics – most of which are in Spanish – would make even the most ardent free speech warrior cringe.

Read more on Salon

Like John, she has one of the most severe forms of the neurological condition including coprolalia which causes involuntary swearing and explicit outbursts.

Read more on BBC

“These criminal networks have issued explicit instructions to U.S.-based sympathetics, including street gangs in Chicago, to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents,” DHS asserted.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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