explicitly
Americanadverb
-
in a way that is clearly expressed, demonstrated, or formulated.
There are a couple of important points that I wish had been made more clearly and explicitly.
We should also explicitly advocate for ourselves when it comes to promotions or raises.
-
in a way that is direct or precise; specifically.
Women and underrepresented minorities are explicitly invited to apply.
-
in a graphic or detailed way; not leaving anything to the imagination.
The art to be displayed cannot include explicitly sexual scenes, nudity, or salacious or revealing imagery.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of explicitly
Explanation
When you explain something explicitly, you do it in great detail, leaving no room for misunderstanding. You could intimidate your little brother by explicitly describing what you'll do if he reads your diary. Something that's said or done explicitly is clear and direct, like an explicitly told story about terrible poverty in India — it leaves out no disturbing details, even if it upsets the listener. Explicitly can also refer to sexual situations or details, like a movie whose sex scenes are shown explicitly, or graphically. The Latin root is explicare, "unfold, unravel, explain."
Vocabulary lists containing explicitly
Vocabulary of the Common Core
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"Sorry, Wrong Number" by Lucille Fletcher
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We Were Liars
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Acknowledging that the contest provokes "mixed feelings" in the Netherlands, the NPO said it had "explicitly asked the EBU to once again make the unifying character of the festival an important part of the event".
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
The Justice Department notice did not explicitly threaten a funding cutoff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
The agreement explicitly includes Greenland in Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” antimissile shield, meant to protect the U.S. homeland.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
Campbell’s acquired Rao’s, and there are armies of people online who remain convinced that something must have changed, despite Rao’s FAQ explicitly assuring worried customers that the company won’t “touch the sauce.”
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
There was no rule explicitly forbidding exercise at such an hour, but it was not expected; ordinarily therefore Mr. Ludsbury would have disapproved.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
