IMPLICIT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does implicit mean? 

• IMPLICIT (adjective)
  The adjective IMPLICIT has 2 senses:

1. implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something

2. being without doubt or reserve

  Familiarity information: IMPLICIT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMPLICIT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something

Synonyms:

implicit; inexplicit

Context example:

the oak is implicit in the acorn

Similar:

implicit in; inherent; underlying (in the nature of something though not readily apparent)

silent; tacit; understood (implied by or inferred from actions or statements)

unexpressed; unsaid; unspoken; unstated; unuttered; unverbalised; unverbalized; unvoiced (not made explicit)

Also:

connotative (having the power of implying or suggesting something in addition to what is explicit)

covert (secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed)

Attribute:

explicitness (clarity as a consequence of being explicit)

Antonym:

explicit (precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication)

Derivation:

implicitness (inexplicitness as a consequence of being implied or indirect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Being without doubt or reserve

Synonyms:

implicit; unquestioning

Context example:

implicit trust

Similar:

absolute (perfect or complete or pure)

 Context examples 

In contrast, a Missing Value Reason answers the implicit question "Why is there no 'meaningful' value?", when there is none.

(Missing Value Reason, NCI Thesaurus)

The target site is often implicit in the definition of the observation itself.

(Performed Observation Approach Anatomic Site Code, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

“You have implicit faith in Holmes?” he asked.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Still more so, by the stipulation of implicit confidence which I beg to impose.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy's using him ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has always been remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“My son's tutor is a conscientious gentleman; and if I had not implicit reliance on my son, I should have reliance on him.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I placed implicit faith in this last statement, when I marked the look with which it was accompanied.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I had such implicit confidence in her declaration, that I then put it to Mr. Peggotty, whether it would not seem, in the onset, like distrusting her, to follow her any farther.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)