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 by in ):

   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. Compare explicit ( def 5 ).
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. when postpositive,foll byin contained or inherent

   to bring out the anger implicit in the argument

4. See explicit
   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

Derived Forms

• imˈplicitly, adverb
• imˈplicitness, noun

Other Words From

• im·plic·it·ly adverb
• im·plic·it·ness im·plic·i·ty 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

What we have now is a system which gives naming rights to the discoverers in an implicit way, where your contributions will bear your names by default, unless you decide to agitate for something else.

From Nautilus

Bazzo also said the district should focus on implicit bias training for staff, doing more restorative justice programs and bringing more teachers of color into classrooms.

From Voice of San Diego

It also cited implicit and explicit bias and cultural competency.

From Voice of San Diego

Many times, that bias is implicit — meaning the people who are biased don’t know they are.

From Science News For Students

You can find out about some of yours by taking an implicit bias test from Harvard University.

From Science News For Students

As Randy wrote, “I guess this speaks to the church not really having a place for gay people so getting married is still implicit.”

From The Daily Beast

Think about it: Dodd-Frank was explicitly passed to drive a stake through the heart of the implicit concept of “too big to fail.”

From The Daily Beast

The question implicit in this effort, “If you were starting a museum, what would you put in your collection?”

From The Daily Beast

By the implicit laws of capitalism, I'm pretty sure this makes Bieber the new commander in chief.

From The Daily Beast

It is part and parcel of the implicit politics of Snap Judgment, which folds the margins of American society into its center.

From The Daily Beast

We are told their ideas of government consist in believing that implicit obedience is due both to king and priests.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us, then, rejoice that we possess such a powerful advocate in heaven, and let us place implicit trust in her.

From Project Gutenberg

In his family his only use is to be a pattern of timid silence and of implicit submission.

From Project Gutenberg

Implicit and immediate obedience he demandedno questioning of his higher authority.

From Project Gutenberg

Implicit faith has been the source of the greatest outrages which have been committed upon the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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