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

The funeral will be private, in line with Armani’s “explicit wishes,” his fashion house said.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2018, the Wall Street Journal published a report that said co-workers described him as harsh, demanding and prone to crossing the boundaries of appropriate workplace behavior with explicit language and behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

In that programme, Atack revealed she was sent hundreds of explicit pictures and messages every day, and asked what motivates the men behind them and what could be done to stop them.

From BBC

Those pictures were posted with explicit or even violent comments, with users said to include former politicians, businessmen and police officers.

From BBC

Of the 12 tracks on her new album, 10 of them are labelled as explicit.

From BBC

Related Words

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