explicit

ik-SPLIS-it/ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/

Noun pluralexplicits

Often confused with implicit

4 meanings of explicit

1
adjective
Said or shown in a clear, direct way, with all the details given.
Like a recipe that lists every step, not just "make a cake."
She gave me explicit directions to her house.
The teacher's instructions were explicit, so no one was confused.
Similarclear, express, overt, manifest
Oppositeimplicit, vague
Note
2
adjectiveeuphemistic
Showing or describing sex, violence, or rude language in a clear, open way.
Like a label on a game that warns it shows fighting and bad words.
The movie has explicit scenes, so it isn't suitable for children.
This song was labeled explicit because of its strong language.
Similarraunchy
Oppositeclean
Note
3
nouncountable
The last few words at the end of an old book or piece of writing.
Like the words "The End" written at the bottom of the last page.
The explicit at the end named the monk who copied the book.
We could not read the explicit because the last page was torn.
Oppositeincipit
Note

Less common meaning

4
phraseobsolete
Written at the end of a book in old times to show that it is finished.
After the last line, the scribe wrote Explicit and set down his pen.
The copy ended with Explicit, just below the final prayer.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of explicit apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2

It came from French explicite, which came from Latin explicitus, meaning "disentangled" or "easy."

Meaning 4

It is a short form of the Latin phrase explicitus est līber, meaning "the book is finished."