Explicit vs Implicit
Published January 23, 2023. Updated January 23, 2023.
Explicit and implicit are two words that look similar but have very different meanings. Explicit is an adjective that describes “something that is clearly stated with no room for ambiguity.” Contrastingly, implicit is an adjective that describes “something not stated clearly and is only implied.”
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Explicit (adjective)
Something that is clearly stated with no room for ambiguity.
Examples:
The singer’s explicit language clearly demonstrated his frustration with the record label.
I would describe my sister as having an explicit personality as she rarely hides how she feels about things.
Explicit describes something or someone that is clear, direct, or blunt. There is no room for implication when something is explicit. Explicit can also mean offensive or vulgar when talking about language.
Implicit (adjective)
Something not stated clearly and is only implied.
Examples:
His happiness with the election outcome was implicit in his speech, but only because he was asked to remain unbiased about it.
The implicit urgency of the letter indicated that help was needed now.
Something that is implicit is not clearly stated. Usually, implicit ideas are implied via word choice, tone, or other nonverbal indicators. If you need to remember the difference between implicit and explicit, just think of how implicit closely relates to the verb “imply.”
Main Points
- Explicit is an adjective that describes something clearly stated. It can also mean vulgar or offensive when describing language.
- Implicit is an adjective that describes something implied, not clearly stated.
- Another way to remember the differences between these two words is their first letters. Think of exterior for explicit, since it is related to something clearly showing. For implicit, think of interior, as its meaning is more related to concepts not on the outside of something expressed.