explicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'explicit' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something in a very clear and detailed way, often with the intention of being direct and unambiguous. For example: "The instructions were explicit; all employees must wear the appropriate uniform to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To a degree this explains the charged and explicit eroticism of much of his work – though it should be noted that Schiele also painted landscapes throughout his working life.

The Guardian - Arts

One of the explicit goals of European enlargement to the east was to consolidate liberal democracies (or, in the case of Romania, complete the transition to liberal democracy in the first place).

The Guardian - Opinion

Bringing a prosecution under this act was always going to be difficult because it requires an explicit agreement to pay money or some other "valuable consideration", such as a loan, in return for an honour.

The Guardian

In a conversation with Cephas Msipa, one of the few remaining Zapu ministers of what had been a government of national unity, Sekeramayi reportedly said that "not only was Mugabe fully aware of what was going on" but the Fifth Brigade was operating "under Mugabe's explicit orders".

The Guardian

Their recommendation that this new legal framework must be based on an explicit avowal of intrusive surveillance capabilities and spell out authorisation procedures, privacy constraints, transparence requirements, targeting criteria and the rest is also significant.

The Guardian

He said that "the letter could not have been more explicit" that the government regarded Muslims as part of British society, adding the letter was designed to reassure the Muslim community.

The Guardian

(If the "credibility and effectiveness" of Irish bishops have been undermined, as he says, by the scandals, what of his own standing as a bishop, as the power behind John Paul II's throne and now as pope?) There is no explicit endorsement of the new protocols in Ireland demanding that all suspicions be referred to the police.

The Guardian

Many of those clues are suggestive but not explicit, and some are totally baffling if you're a fan.

The Guardian - Film

9) Be aware too that even if you remove explicit mentions of your name, a determined searcher may be able to dig up your past through leftover postings and hints of whatever sort.

The Guardian - Tech

His idealisation of an ascetic lifestyle and explicit denunciations of consumerism are clearly hard to reconcile with his multimillionaire status.

The Guardian - Books

She makes explicit mention of follow-up questions: They will call on 'Alice,' and 'Alice' will stand up and ask a question.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "explicit" to describe content; it can sometimes imply potentially offensive or graphic material.

Common error

While "explicit" is useful for clarity, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or unnecessarily forceful. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "clear", "specific", or "detailed" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "explicit" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a high degree of clarity, detail, or openness, as shown in Ludwig examples where it describes instructions, content, or agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explicit" functions as an adjective most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts. As Ludwig examples show, it serves to denote clarity, detail, and directness, aiming to eliminate ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct, but its usage can vary slightly depending on whether you're using it in formal instructions or content warnings. Synonyms include phrases like "clearly stated", or "specifically defined". Avoid overuse to maintain writing style and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly stated

Focuses on the clarity of the statement rather than the detail.

specifically defined

Emphasizes the precise definition of something.

expressly mentioned

Highlights the act of mentioning something directly.

unequivocally stated

Indicates a statement without any doubt or ambiguity.

overtly expressed

Stresses the open and unconcealed nature of the expression.

precisely articulated

Highlights the careful and detailed way something is expressed.

definitively outlined

Focuses on providing a clear and final outline.

plainly expressed

Highlights the simplicity and lack of complexity in the expression.

unambiguously defined

Emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in the definition.

particularly specified

Highlights that something is specified and distinguished from other things.

FAQs

How can I use "explicit" in a sentence?

You can use "explicit" to describe something that is very clear and detailed, like "The instructions were explicit". Alternatively, it can describe potentially offensive content, such as "The film contained explicit scenes".

What are some synonyms for "explicit"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "clear", "specific", "detailed", "express", or "overt".

Is it better to be "explicit" or "implicit"?

Whether to be "explicit" or "implicit" depends on the situation. "Explicit" means stating something directly and clearly, while "implicit" means suggesting something without directly stating it. Use "explicit" when clarity is essential and there's a risk of misunderstanding.

What's the difference between "explicit" and "implicit"?

"Explicit" refers to something clearly stated or shown, leaving no room for doubt or interpretation. "Implicit", on the other hand, refers to something suggested or understood though not plainly expressed. An "explicit" instruction leaves no ambiguity; an implicit understanding is derived from context.