Word: implicit (adjective)

Associations

The word "implicit" means something that is understood or suggested without being directly said. It is often used when something is implied or hinted at rather than clearly stated.

• Example 1: "There was implicit trust between the friends." This means the trust was there but not openly talked about.
• Example 2: "His silence was an implicit agreement." Here, silence suggests agreement without words.
• Example 3: "The instructions had implicit warnings." The warnings are not directly written but understood.

Synonym: "tacit" is a close synonym, meaning also "understood without being said." The difference is that "tacit" often refers to agreements or approvals, while "implicit" can be broader, including feelings, ideas, or meanings.

Substitution

Instead of "implicit," you can use:

• "implied" (meaning suggested but not directly said)
• "tacit" (especially for agreements)
• "unspoken" (something not said but understood)

Each word changes the tone slightly. For example, "implied" focuses on meaning, "tacit" on silent agreement, and "unspoken" on things left unsaid.

Deconstruction

• Root: The word comes from Latin "implicitus," from "implicare," meaning "to entwine" or "to involve."
• Prefix: "im-" means "in" or "into."
• Root word: "plicare" means "to fold." So, "implicit" originally meant something folded or involved inside, which relates to the idea of something being inside the meaning but not openly shown.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone gave you an implicit message without saying it directly?
• How is an implicit meaning different from an explicit one?
• Why do you think people sometimes prefer to communicate implicitly rather than explicitly?