explicit

adjective

ex·​plic·​it ik-ˈspli-sət 

1

a

: fully revealed or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity : leaving no question as to meaning or intent

explicit instructions/rules

Changes to the property can't be done without their explicit consent.

The law is very explicit about how these measures should be enacted.

compare implicit sense 1a

b(1)

: open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality

explicit books and films

a song with explicit lyrics

They're concerned about exposing children to (sexually) explicit films.

(2)

: openly shown

scenes of explicit violence

sexually explicit conduct

2

: fully developed or formulated

an explicit plan

an explicit notion of our objective

3

: unambiguous in expression

was very explicit on how we are to behave

4

of a mathematical function : defined by an expression containing only independent variables compare implicit sense 3b

explicitness noun

Synonyms of explicit

• specific
• express
• definite
• definitive
• unambiguous
• unmistakable
• unequivocal
• comprehensive
• literal

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of explicit in a Sentence

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 Review, 5 Apr. 2009

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

They were given explicit instructions.

Changes to the property can't be done without their explicit consent.

The law is very explicit about how these measures should be enacted.

a song with explicit lyrics

The movie contains scenes of explicit violence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not in any explicit way—my father wasn’t the cranky, alcoholic ex-minor league baseball player who drove around Los Angeles with his pool cleaning equipment in the back of his Cadillac convertible played by Matthau. —Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

In a robot like Shakey, the map is explicit. —Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025

The play is very explicit about your own limitations as a white woman telling this story. —Esther Zuckerman, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

The situations are absurd, but the series takes it a step further, using explicit, colorful language because on CBS’ streamer, network rules and regulations do not restrict the dialogue. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French explicite, borrowed from Medieval Latin explicitus, going back to Latin, "free from difficulties," variant past participle of explicāre "to free from folds or creases, unroll, disentangle, spread out, set out in words, give an account of" — more at explicate

Note: Verbs built on the stem -plicā- have the variants -plicuī, -plicitus alongside a regular perfect and past participle -plicāvī, -plicātus. Oxford Latin Dictionary notes that for explicāre the variants explicuī, explicitus come later, replacing explicāvī, explicātus after the time of Cicero. See also exploit entry 1.

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for explicit

• complicit
• elicit
• illicit
• implicit
• solicit
• licit

Kids Definition

explicit

adjective

ex·​plic·​it ik-ˈsplis-ət 

: so clear in statement that there is no doubt about the meaning

explicit instructions

explicitly adverb

explicitness noun