Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Complete and without any doubt or reservation: Used to describe something that is absolute, total, or unquestioning.
   • Implied though not directly stated; inherent in the nature of something: Used to describe something that is understood or suggested without being spoken or written explicitly. It is often contained within the context or logic of a situation.

Examples of Usage

• Complete and without doubt:

  • The soldiers gave their implicit obedience to the commander. (Their obedience was total and unquestioning.)
  • She had implicit trust in her lawyer's advice. (Her trust was absolute and without reservation.)

• Implied though not directly stated:

  • His silence gave implicit consent to the plan. (His agreement was understood from his lack of objection, though he didn't say "yes".)
  • There was implicit criticism in her tone when she said the work was "interesting". (The criticism was suggested by her tone, not stated directly.)

Advanced Usage

• Implicit in: Used to indicate that something is a necessary, inherent, or logical part of something else.
  • The risk of failure is implicit in any new venture. (The possibility of failure is a natural, understood part of starting something new.)
  • The promise of growth is implicit in the seed. (The potential for growth is an inherent quality contained within the seed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Implicitly (adverb): In an implicit manner.

  • She trusted him implicitly. (She trusted him completely and without question.)
  • The rule was implicitly understood by all participants. (The rule was understood by everyone without it being formally stated.)

• Implicitness (noun): The quality or state of being implicit. (This form is less common in everyday usage.)

Synonyms

• Unspoken: Not expressed in speech.
• Implied: Suggested without being directly expressed.
• Tacit: Understood or implied without being stated.
• Inherent: Existing as a permanent, essential characteristic.
• Absolute: Complete; not limited or restricted.

Antonyms

• Explicit: Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
• Expressed: Conveyed in words or actions.
• Direct: Straightforward and without ambiguity.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Implicit bias: Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.

  • The training aimed to make employees aware of their implicit biases.

• Implicit function (Mathematics): A function defined by an equation in which the dependent variable is not isolated on one side of the equation.

  • The equation x² + y² = 1 defines y as an implicit function of x.

Adjective

1. being without doubt or reserve
   • implicit trust
2. implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
   • an implicit agreement not to raise the subject
   • there was implicit criticism in his voice
   • anger was implicit in the argument
   • the oak is implicit in the acorn