Basic Details
Word: Implicit
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Understood or suggested without being said in words; also complete and without any doubt, as in implicit trust.
Synonyms: implied, unspoken, understood, absolute
Antonyms: explicit, stated, direct
How to Spell Implicit
Syllables: im - plic - it
Tricky part: The ending is cit with a c, not sit or set, and the t is single.
Watch out for: implisit, implicet, implicitt
Memory tip: Implicit is the twin of explicit. Change ex to im and keep plicit just as it is.
Usage Examples
Example 1: There was an implicit warning in the coach's glance at the clock.
Example 2: Small children have implicit trust in their parents.
Example 3: The rules about queuing at the canteen are implicit; nobody has written them down.
Fun Fact
Implicit and explicit both grew from the Latin verb plicare, to fold: something implicit is folded in, while something explicit is unfolded and laid out for all to see.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to implicit as used in the sentence:
There was an implicit agreement among the neighbours that nobody would play loud music after ten.
a) unspoken
b) tacit
c) explicit
d) understood
Show answer
c) explicit. An implicit agreement is understood without words; an explicit one is clearly stated, so explicit is the opposite.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Our coach had implicet faith in the goalkeeper, so she let him take the final penalty even though the rest of the squad looked nervous.
a) implicet
b) penalty
c) nervous
d) goalkeeper
Show answer
a) implicet. The word closes with cit, exactly as explicit does.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. sinsere 2. sutble 3. implicit 4. obveous
a) honest and meaning what you say
b) easy to see or understand
c) suggested without being stated directly
d) so slight or delicate that it is hard to notice
Show answer
c) suggested without being stated directly. Implicit is right; sincere ends in cere, obvious has ious and subtle puts its silent b before the t.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Implicit trust is trust that is ____.
a) shown only in writing
b) complete and without doubt
c) broken easily
d) given only for money
Show answer
b) complete and without doubt
2. A smile can carry an implicit message. The message is ____.
a) sent by email
b) printed on paper
c) shouted aloud
d) understood without words
Show answer
d) understood without words
