explicit

explicit — adjective

1. Stated or shown in a clear and detailed way that leaves no room for doubt or con

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Stated or shown in a clear and detailed way that leaves no room for doubt or confusion — for example, an explicit instruction that tells you exactly what materials to bring, or explicit permission that is given in plain words rather than implied.

Example

For the science project, the teacher gave explicit instructions with a list of required materials.

explicit + instructions for detailed clarity

João asked for explicit permission before using his roommate's laptop.

explicit permission — stated in words, not implied

Common collocations
  • explicit instructions
  • explicit permission
  • explicit terms
  • explicit mention
  • explicit warning
Synonyms
  • clear

    most general term; explicit adds the nuance of thoroughness and detail

  • precise

    focuses on exactness of detail rather than leaving no doubt

  • specific

    suggests reference to particular details rather than a general category

  • unambiguous

    more formal; stresses absolutely no chance of a second interpretation

Antonyms
  • vague

    not clearly stated or expressed

  • ambiguous

    open to more than one interpretation

  • implicit

    suggested indirectly rather than stated plainly

Grammar Patterns

explicit + noun

be explicit about + noun

Usage Note

Frequently modifies nouns related to communication — instructions, terms, agreement, warning, permission. Common in legal, academic, and instructional contexts.

Common Mistakes

The professor was explicit when talking about plant cells.
The professor gave a detailed explanation of plant cells.
'explicit' emphasizes leaving no doubt, not just being detailed; use it when clarity and lack of ambiguity are the main point.
She gave me an explicit no as an answer.
She gave me a clear no as an answer.
'explicit' is an adjective for the statement itself, not for the type of 'no'.

2. Connected with sexual acts or violent actions that are presented openly and with

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Connected with sexual acts or violent actions that are presented openly and without restraint — such as a film scene that shows nudity or a video game that displays graphic injury.

Example

The film was rated R because of its explicit scenes of violence.

explicit scenes of violence — domain: film rating

Parents complained about the explicit lyrics in several popular songs.

Common collocations
  • explicit content
  • explicit scenes
  • explicit lyrics
  • explicit language
  • explicit material
Synonyms
  • graphic

    very close in meaning; graphic emphasizes vivid visual detail, while explicit emphasizes openness and lack of restraint

  • blunt

    direct and honest, sometimes harsh; broader in meaning and not confined to sex or violence

  • raw

    informal; suggests unedited, shocking frankness

Antonyms
  • implicit

    suggested indirectly rather than stated

  • subtle

    delicate and not immediately obvious; opposite of openly graphic

Grammar Patterns

explicit + noun (scenes, lyrics, content, language)

Usage Note

Typically modifies nouns related to media and art — content, scenes, lyrics, language, material, descriptions. Often appears in content warnings, age ratings, and parental-control settings.

Common Mistakes

She gave explicit instructions.' (misinterpreted as sexual)
She gave clear, detailed instructions.
In most contexts without mention of media or content, explicit means 'clear and precise,' not 'sexually graphic.'
The movie has a lot of explicit.
The movie has a lot of explicit content.
'explicit' is an adjective; it needs a noun to modify.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Clear is the most general word in this group — it simply means easy to understand. Precise adds the idea of exactness, where the boundaries of meaning are sharply drawn. Specific emphasizes that something refers to particular details rather than a broad category. Unambiguous is the most formal; it stresses there is zero chance of a second interpretation. Explicit, however, combines all these ideas: it means stated with enough thoroughness and detail that no reasonable doubt remains. For example, 'Please be clear about your plans' is a gentle request for general understanding. 'Please be explicit about your expectations' demands detailed, leave-nothing-to-chance language — the sort you would see in a formal agreement.

clear ↗precise ↗specific ↗unambiguous

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • explicitly stated
  • explicitly mentioned
  • explicitly said

Phrases

  • make explicit
  • become explicit
  • explicit statement

Prepositions

  • explicit about
  • explicit in

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Explicit comes from the Latin explicitus, the past participle of explicāre, meaning 'to unfold' or 'to unravel.' The core image is of something folded up that gets opened out for full viewing — moving from implication to open statement. English adopted it in the 16th century for the 'clearly stated' sense. The 'sexually or violently graphic' meaning developed in the mid-20th century alongside film rating systems.