imply

American

[im-plahy] / ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb (used with object)

implied, implying

to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated.

His words implied a lack of faith.
(of words) to signify or mean.
to involve as a necessary circumstance.

Speech implies a speaker.

Synonyms:

demand, require
Obsolete. to enfold.

imply British

/ ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb

to express or indicate by a hint; suggest

what are you implying by that remark?
to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence
logic to enable (a conclusion) to be inferred
obsolete to entangle or enfold

"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

Usage

See infer.

Other Word Forms

reimply verb (used with object)
superimply verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of imply

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

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.

“Given expectations imply a Zyn recovery, fueled by the introduction of new products, we would see a delay as a negative for PM,” the Jefferies analysts wrote of the reported delay of the fast-track review.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Interest-rate swaps imply a quarter-point increase within six months and up to 100 basis points of tightening over the next year, DBS senior economist Ma Tieying said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

So its current record-bearish status doesn’t necessarily imply that a bear market is imminent.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

The Football Association said Tudor "allegedly acted in an improper manner during a post-match interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question integrity and/or are personally offensive in relation to a match official".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

And contrary to countless barroom conversations, the law of large numbers doesn’t imply the gambler’s fallacy: that a head is more likely after a string of tails.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023