implicit

[im-plis-it]

adjective

1. implied, rather than expressly stated.

   implicit agreement.

2. unquestioning or unreserved; unconditional: implicit obedience;

   implicit trust;

   implicit obedience;

   implicit confidence.

   Synonyms: total, complete, absolute, unqualified

3. potentially contained (usually followed byin ).

   to bring out the drama implicit in the occasion.

4. Mathematics.,  (of a function) having the dependent variable not explicitly expressed in terms of the independent variables, as x 2 + y 2 = 1.

5. Obsolete.,  entangled.

implicit

/ ɪmˈplɪsɪt /

adjective

1. not explicit; implied; indirect

   there was implicit criticism in his voice

2. absolute and unreserved; unquestioning

   you have implicit trust in him

3. contained or inherent

   to bring out the anger implicit in the argument

4. maths (of a function) having an equation of the form f( x,y ) = 0, in which y cannot be directly expressed in terms of x, as in xy + x ² + y ³ x ² = 0 Compare explicit 1

5. obsolete,  intertwined

Other Word Forms

• implicitly adverb
• implicitness noun
• implicity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicit¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin implicitus “involved, obscure,” variant past participle of implicāre; implicate, -ite ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicit¹

C16: from Latin implicitus, variant of implicātus interwoven; see _implicate

Example Sentences

"If this person's goal, whether explicit or implicit, was in fact to understand the overall landscape of movies in this country, the algorithmic recommendation ends up seriously biasing one's understanding," the authors wrote.

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"The unconscious mind still has areas that remain active. Even if the music isn't explicitly recalled, implicit awareness can lead to beneficial effects."

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The answer is yes, but there’s also a sort of “no” implicit, too.

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He keeps the GOP in line not through persuasion and horse-trading but by threats ranging from backing primary challenges to the implicit fear of violence.

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All market themselves with the implicit promise that they’re helping men improve their lives.

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Related Words

• constant 
• contained 
• definite 
• implied 
• latent 
• steadfast 
• tacit 
• unshakable 
• unspoken