imply

[ im-plahy ]
See synonyms for: implyimpliedimpliesimplying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),im·plied, im·ply·ing.
  1. to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated: His words implied a lack of faith.

  2. (of words) to signify or mean.

  1. to involve as a necessary circumstance: Speech implies a speaker.

  2. Obsolete. to enfold.

Origin of imply

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English implien, emplien, from Middle French emplier, from Latin implicāre; see implicate

usage note For imply

See infer.

Other words for imply

Other words from imply

  • re·im·ply, verb (used with object), re·im·plied, re·im·ply·ing.
  • su·per·im·ply, verb (used with object), su·per·im·plied, su·per·im·ply·ing.

Words that may be confused with imply

Words Nearby imply

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use imply in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for imply

imply

/ (ɪmˈplaɪ) /


verb-plies, -plying or -plied (tr; may take a clause as object)
  1. to express or indicate by a hint; suggest: what are you implying by that remark?

  2. to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence

  1. logic to enable (a conclusion) to be inferred

  2. obsolete to entangle or enfold

Origin of imply

1
C14: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicāre to involve; see implicate

imply

See infer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012