implicit
implicit — adjective
1. Not stated in a direct or clear way, but able to be understood from what is said
Not stated in a direct or clear way, but able to be understood from what is said or done.
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
The peace treaty included an implicit agreement to stop building new weapons near the border.
Otis found an implicit criticism in the way his manager praised only the other team members.
- 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.
文法句型
implicit + noun
be implicit in + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. Affecting someone's feelings, choices, or actions without them being consciously
Affecting someone's feelings, choices, or actions without them being consciously aware of it.
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
Devika always chose the blue hiking trail — an implicit memory of childhood walks with her father guided her there.
Diya was surprised to learn she held an implicit preference for candidates from her own hometown.
- 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.
- 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.
文法句型
implicit + noun of influence (bias, trust, preference, memory)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. Complete and total, without any doubt or reservation — used especially to descri
Complete and total, without any doubt or reservation — used especially to describe strong belief, trust, or loyalty.
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
The villagers placed implicit trust in the elders who had guided them through hard times before.
The manager's implicit confidence in Sofia's abilities encouraged her to take on bigger challenges.
- 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.'
文法句型
implicit + faith/trust/confidence/obedience/support
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
4. Naturally forming part of the basic nature of something, even if not always expr
Naturally forming part of the basic nature of something, even if not always expressed, developed, or shown.
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.
Jabari believes the joy implicit in playing piano duets keeps beginners practising even when the fingering feels hard.
The political assumptions implicit in Japan's new high-school history curriculum were examined by Professor Maeve Chen.
- 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.
文法句型
implicit + in + noun phrase
noun phrase + implicit in + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.