explicitly

explicitly — adverb

1. in a manner expressed with full clarity and detail, leaving no room for doubt

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a manner expressed with full clarity and detail, leaving no room for doubt

Example

The teacher explicitly told the class that phones must stay in their bags during the test.

explicitly + tell + that-clause for giving clear instructions

The rules explicitly state that no food or drink is allowed inside the library.

Common collocations
  • explicitly stated
  • explicitly told
  • explicitly asked
  • explicitly mentioned
  • explicitly forbid
  • explicitly allowed
  • explicitly defined
  • explicitly political
  • explicitly sexual
Synonyms
  • clearly

    broader in meaning — covers anything easy to understand, not necessarily expressed in full detail

  • plainly

    emphasises simplicity and lack of decoration rather than thoroughness

  • specifically

    focuses on exact detail and precision rather than directness of expression

  • unequivocally

    C2-level word; stronger tone that leaves absolutely no possibility of misunderstanding

Antonyms
  • implicitly

    suggested indirectly or understood without being stated in words

  • vaguely

    not clearly expressed; leaving the meaning uncertain

Grammar Patterns

explicitly + verb (e.g. state, tell, ask, forbid)

explicitly + adjective (e.g. political, sexual)

explicitly, + clause (fronted position)

Usage Note

Often contrasts with implicitly (which means suggested without being directly stated). Commonly modifies verbs of communication (state, say, tell, ask, forbid) and can also modify adjectives (explicitly political, explicitly sexual).

Common Mistakes

The instructions are explicitly.
The instructions are explicit.
An adverb like 'explicitly' cannot follow 'are' as a subject complement; use the adjective 'explicit' instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs describe communication that is easy to understand, but they emphasise different aspects. Explicitly stresses that something is stated in full, leaving nothing hidden or assumed — you spell it out. Clearly is the broadest term: anything from a well-organised explanation (She explained the problem clearly) to a legible sign can be clear, even if not every detail is spelled out. Plainly adds a sense of simplicity and directness, often contrasting with complicated or flowery language (He plainly told her he was not interested). Specifically narrows the focus to exact details and particulars, rather than general statements (The contract specifically mentions delivery dates). Use explicitly when the key idea is that nothing was left to guesswork or implication.

explicitly ↗clearly ↗plainly ↗specifically ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • stated explicitly
  • explicitly mentioned
  • explicitly stated that
  • make something explicit

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin explicitus, meaning 'unfolded' or 'set out clearly.' The Latin word is the past participle of explicare (to unfold), made from ex- (out) and plicare (to fold). French carried it into English as explicite in the 1500s, and the adverb form explicitly appeared in the 1600s. The idea of 'folding out' something so that every part is visible matches today's meaning of saying something fully and openly.