implicit

implicit — adjective

1. Not stated in a direct or clear way, but able to be understood from what is said

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Not stated in a direct or clear way, but able to be understood from what is said or done.

Example

The email from Trang's boss contained an implicit warning about possible job losses.

collocation: implicit warning

When Mizuki stayed silent, the others took her silence as an implicit admission of guilt.

collocation: implicit admission

Common collocations
  • implicit warning
  • implicit agreement
  • implicit admission
  • implicit criticism
  • implicit assumption
  • implicit understanding
Synonyms
  • implied

    More common in everyday use; 'implied' focuses on the speaker's intention to suggest without saying, while 'implicit' focuses on what can be logically understood.

  • tacit

    More formal; usually describes an agreement or understanding that is silently accepted without being spoken.

  • unspoken

    More informal; emphasizes that something is not said aloud, but may or may not be logically deducible.

Antonyms
  • explicit

    The most common opposite; explicit meaning is stated clearly and directly, leaving no room for doubt.

  • stated

    More neutral; simply means something was said or written openly.

Grammar Patterns

implicit + noun

be implicit in + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used in legal, academic, or professional contexts to describe meaning that is understood from context without being spelled out. Contrast with explicit, where everything is stated openly.

Common Mistakes

The rules were implicited in the document.
The rules were implicit in the document.
'implicit' is an adjective, not a verb. Use 'implicit in' for the meaning of 'can be understood from.'
The meaning was implicit stated.
The meaning was implicitly stated.
Use the adverb 'implicitly' (not the adjective 'implicit') when modifying a verb.

2. Affecting someone's feelings, choices, or actions without them being consciously

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Affecting someone's feelings, choices, or actions without them being consciously aware of it.

Example

The training programme helps staff recognise their own implicit biases in hiring decisions.

collocation: implicit bias

Emre had an implicit trust in his brother, so he never questioned the financial advice.

collocation: implicit trust

Common collocations
  • implicit bias
  • implicit trust
  • implicit memory
  • implicit preference
  • implicit prejudice
Synonyms
  • unconscious

    Broader term; 'unconscious' can refer to any mental process outside awareness, while 'implicit' often specifically describes attitudes or knowledge that influence behaviour.

  • unacknowledged

    Focuses on the fact that the person has not admitted or recognized the feeling; slightly more informal.

Antonyms
  • conscious

    Describes thoughts or feelings that a person is fully aware of.

  • deliberate

    Describes an action or attitude that is chosen on purpose, not hidden from the mind.

Grammar Patterns

implicit + noun of influence (bias, trust, preference, memory)

Usage Note

Commonly used in psychology and social science. Frequently paired with 'bias,' 'trust,' 'memory,' 'prejudice,' and 'preference.' When describing unconscious bias, 'implicit bias' is the standard term.

Common Mistakes

She was implicit of the problem in the office.
She was unaware of the problem in the office.
'implicit' describes something hidden from a person, not the person's own state of awareness.
He had an implicit feeling that something was wrong.
He had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
'implicit' refers to something hidden within someone's mind, not a weak or unclear sensation.

3. Complete and total, without any doubt or reservation — used especially to descri

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

Complete and total, without any doubt or reservation — used especially to describe strong belief, trust, or loyalty.

Example

The soldiers showed implicit obedience to their commanding officer during the rescue mission.

collocation: implicit obedience

Heloísa had implicit faith in the doctor's treatment plan, even when recovery was slow.

collocation: implicit faith

Common collocations
  • implicit trust
  • implicit faith
  • implicit confidence
  • implicit obedience
  • implicit loyalty
Synonyms
  • absolute

    Very close in meaning but wider in use; 'absolute' can apply to many nouns, while 'implicit' is restricted to belief-related nouns.

  • unquestioning

    Emphasizes the absence of doubt more strongly; slightly more informal.

  • total

    More common in everyday speech; less formal than 'implicit.'

Antonyms
  • qualified

    Limited or conditional; the opposite of without reservation.

  • doubtful

    Showing uncertainty; the opposite of unquestioning belief.

Grammar Patterns

implicit + faith/trust/confidence/obedience/support

Usage Note

This sense only works with nouns expressing strong positive commitment — 'trust,' 'faith,' 'confidence,' 'obedience,' 'loyalty,' 'support.' It cannot be used with neutral or negative nouns (e.g., you cannot say 'implicit doubt' or 'implicit fear').

Common Mistakes

I have implicit trust to her.
I have implicit trust in her.
After 'trust' in this sense, use the preposition 'in,' not 'to.'
She had implicit doubts about the plan.
She had serious doubts about the plan.
'Implicit' in this sense only combines with words for strong belief, not with doubt or uncertainty.

4. Naturally forming part of the basic nature of something, even if not always expr

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

Naturally forming part of the basic nature of something, even if not always expressed, developed, or shown.

Example

There is an implicit contradiction in the mayor's claim that cutting the budget would improve both schools and roads.

pattern: implicit + in + [noun phrase]

The risks implicit in opening a food truck include losing the money spent on permits, equipment, and inventory.

Common collocations
  • implicit in
  • assumptions implicit in
  • contradiction implicit in
  • risks implicit in
  • values implicit in
Synonyms
  • inherent

    The closest synonym; 'inherent' emphasizes that something is a permanent part of the nature of something, while 'implicit' emphasizes it is not yet expressed or developed.

  • latent

    Emphasizes that something exists but is not yet active or visible; common in technical and scientific writing.

  • intrinsic

    More formal; describes the essential nature of something rather than what is merely hidden.

Antonyms
  • extrinsic

    Coming from outside rather than from the essential nature of something.

  • acquired

    Gained or learned over time, as opposed to existing as a natural part of something.

Grammar Patterns

implicit + in + noun phrase

noun phrase + implicit in + noun phrase

Usage Note

Followed by the preposition 'in' when specifying what something is part of. Closely related in meaning to 'inherent,' though 'implicit' more strongly suggests the quality is hidden or not yet developed. Rarely used in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The risks are implicit on the project.
The risks are implicit in the project.
Use 'in' (not 'on', 'to', or 'within') after 'implicit' for this sense.
The dangers are implicit of the job.
The dangers are implicit in the job.
Remember the preposition is always 'in.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These four words all describe meaning that is not directly stated, but they differ in how the meaning is conveyed and understood. 'Implicit' (the broadest term) describes something that can be logically understood from context even though it is not spelled out — an implicit agreement exists because both parties act as if it were real. 'Implied' focuses on the speaker or writer's intention: someone implies something by saying it indirectly. 'Tacit' is more formal and usually applies to agreements or understandings that are silently accepted without ever being discussed — a tacit understanding between colleagues to cover for each other. 'Unspoken' is the most informal and simply means not said aloud, whether intentionally withheld or just not needed. For example: 'There was an implicit rule that no one discussed salaries' (logically understood from behaviour); 'She implied she was unhappy by sighing constantly' (intentional indirect signal); 'They had a tacit agreement to avoid the topic of politics' (silently accepted); 'The unspoken tension in the room was obvious to everyone' (felt but not verbalized).

implicit ↗impliedtacitunspoken

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • implicitly
  • largely implicit
  • often implicit
  • always implicit

Phrases

  • implicit in the argument
  • implicit in the agreement
  • implicit in the design

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'implicit' comes from Latin 'implicitus,' the past participle of 'implicare,' meaning 'to involve, entwine, or enfold.' 'Implicare' is formed from 'in-' ('in, into') and 'plicare' ('to fold'). The original image is of something folded into or wrapped up within something else — like a meaning folded into words without being unfolded (stated) directly. The word entered English in the late 16th century. The sense of 'absolute, unquestioning' (as in 'implicit trust') developed from the idea of a belief being so deeply folded into someone's mind that no doubt could enter.