explicit

adjective

ex·​plic·​it ik-ˈspli-sət How to pronounce explicit (audio)
1
a
: fully revealed or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity : leaving no question as to meaning or intent
explicit instructions
compare implicit sense 1a
b
: open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality
explicit books and films
2
: fully developed or formulated
an explicit plan
an explicit notion of our objective
3
: unambiguous in expression
was very explicit on how we are to behave
4
of a mathematical function : defined by an expression containing only independent variables compare implicit sense 3b
explicitness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for explicit

explicit, definite, express, specific mean perfectly clear in meaning.

explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding.

explicit instructions

definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision.

the law is definite in such cases

express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance.

her express wishes

specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular.

two specific criticisms

Examples of explicit in a Sentence

From closer restrictions on sexually explicit writing came the success, in the mid-19th century, of the novelist George Thompson, who combined graphically violent scenes set in urban dystopias with coy peekaboo references to sex. Susan Dominus, New York Times Book Review, 5 Apr. 2009
Therefore, the Administration's policy was the explicit, if unpublicized, one that it was necessary to allow Saddam Hussein to put down the rebellions. Elizabeth Drew, New Yorker, 6 May 1991
They were given explicit instructions. Changes to the property can't be done without their explicit consent. The law is very explicit about how these measures should be enacted. a song with explicit lyrics The movie contains scenes of explicit violence.
Recent Examples on the Web The proliferation of deepfakes, most recently explicit images in the likeness of Taylor Swift, have highlighted a fundamental problem with AI. Alyssa Newcomb, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 In 2006, referees had been given a similar, but less explicit, edict, and technicals had spiked. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 Studies have also found that when filling a vacant unit, corporate landlords are more likely to use impersonal tenant screening systems, which are free of explicit (if not necessarily implicit) racial bias. Calmatters, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2024 These reality shows represent unreal fantasies, too; Reesa’s story just makes that explicit. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Aurora was more explicit than in the past regarding the nature of their services, which are now Transportation as a Service. Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 That affords cabin crew time to give passengers a more explicit briefing tailored to the specific situation, which is usually more effective than the general presentation given at the start of every flight. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Hardy posed online as Hallam's boyfriend's father, a doctor, and had explicit conversations with teenage girls using fake social media accounts in her boyfriend’s dad’s name. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Without the explicit status, undocumented individuals may be discouraged or left out of the opportunity to participate, Arambula said. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explicit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French explicite, borrowed from Medieval Latin explicitus, going back to Latin, "free from difficulties," variant past participle of explicāre "to free from folds or creases, unroll, disentangle, spread out, set out in words, give an account of" — more at explicate

Note: Verbs built on the stem -plicā- have the variants -plicuī, -plicitus alongside a regular perfect and past participle -plicāvī, -plicātus. Oxford Latin Dictionary notes that for explicāre the variants explicuī, explicitus come later, replacing explicāvī, explicātus after the time of Cicero. See also exploit entry 1.

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of explicit was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near explicit

Cite this Entry

“Explicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explicit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

explicit

adjective
ex·​plic·​it ik-ˈsplis-ət How to pronounce explicit (audio)
: so clear in statement that there is no doubt about the meaning
explicit instructions
explicitly adverb
explicitness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on explicit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!