ex ‧ pli ‧ cit AC /ɪkˈsplɪsət, ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ explicitness ; adverb : ↑ explicitly ≠ ↑ implicitly ; adjective : ↑ explicit ≠ ↑ implicit ]
[ Word Family: adverb : ↑ implicitly ≠ ↑ explicitly ; adjective : ↑ implicit ≠ ↑ explicit ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: explicite , from Latin explicare ; ⇨ ↑ explicate ]
1 . expressed in a way that is very clear and direct ⇨ implicit :
The contrast could not have been made more explicit.
explicit knowledge of grammar
The kidnappers gave us explicit instructions not to involve the police.
Be explicit when you talk about money with your family.
explicit about
He made the rules without being explicit about them.
2 . language or pictures that are explicit describe or show sex or violence very clearly:
The film contains some very explicit love scenes.
sexually explicit language
—explicitly adverb
—explicitness noun [uncountable]