implied

[ im-plahyd ]
/ ɪmˈplaɪd /

adjective

involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood: an implied rebuke; an implied compliment.

Origin of implied

First recorded in 1520–30; imply + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM implied

im·pli·ed·ly [im-plahy-id-lee] /ɪmˈplaɪ ɪd li/, adverb un·im·plied, adjective well-im·plied, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH implied

explicit implicit implied

Definition for implied (2 of 2)

imply
[ im-plahy ]
/ ɪmˈplaɪ /

verb (used with object), im·plied, im·ply·ing.

to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated: His words implied a lack of faith.
(of words) to signify or mean.
to involve as a necessary circumstance: Speech implies a speaker.
Obsolete. to enfold.

Origin of imply

1325–75; Middle English implien, emplien < Middle French emplier < Latin implicāre; see implicate

usage note for imply

See infer.

OTHER WORDS FROM imply

re·im·ply, verb (used with object), re·im·plied, re·im·ply·ing. su·per·im·ply, verb (used with object), su·per·im·plied, su·per·im·ply·ing.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imply

imply infer (see usage note at infer)

Example sentences from the Web for implied

British Dictionary definitions for implied (1 of 2)

implied
/ (ɪmˈplaɪd) /

adjective

hinted at or suggested; not directly expressed an implied criticism

Derived forms of implied

impliedly (ɪmˈplaɪɪdlɪ), adverb

British Dictionary definitions for implied (2 of 2)

imply
/ (ɪmˈplaɪ) /

verb -plies, -plying or -plied (tr; may take a clause as object)

to express or indicate by a hint; suggest what are you implying by that remark?
to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence
logic to enable (a conclusion) to be inferred
obsolete to entangle or enfold

Word Origin for imply

C14: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicāre to involve; see implicate

undefined imply

See infer