explicit

adjective ex·plic·it \ik-ˈspli-sət\

: very clear and complete : leaving no doubt about the meaning

: showing or referring very openly to nudity, violence, or sexual activity

: openly shown

Full Definition of EXPLICIT

a : fully revealed or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity : leaving no question as to meaning or intent <explicit instructions>

b : open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality <explicit books and films>

: fully developed or formulated <an explicit plan> <an explicit notion of our objective>

: unambiguous in expression <was very explicit on how we are to behave>

of a mathematical function : defined by an expression containing only independent variables — compare implicit 1c

— ex·plic·it·ly adverb

— ex·plic·it·ness noun

See explicit defined for English-language learners

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Examples of EXPLICIT

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 Review5 Apr. 2009
… the cheerleaders in Washington wore dreads and leather pants and those burdensome-looking collections of buttons (those … skeins of explicit ideology), rather than letter sweaters and pleated skirts … —Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2001
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
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Origin of EXPLICIT

French or Medieval Latin; French explicite, from Medieval Latin explicitus, from Latin, past participle of explicare (see explicate)

First Known Use: 1607

Related to EXPLICIT

Synonyms: clear-cut, definite, definitive, express, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal

Antonyms: implicit, implied, inferred; ambiguous, circuitous; equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague

Synonym Discussion of 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>.