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 imply

British Dictionary definitions for imply

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