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
compare implicit sense 1a
b
: open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality
explicit books and films
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
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.
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
Series creator Sam Levinson has been one of Hollywood’s favorite subjects of gossip since the HBO drama premiered in 2019; there are rumors of his feuds with actors and dysfunction as a director, while many take issue with his explicit depictions of teen characters’ bodies on-screen.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Pope Francis has suggested the global community should study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel’s conduct in its year-long war.
—Reuters, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024
In his appeal, Allen could resurrect the issue of judicial bias ― that Gull was not a neutral arbiter but a judge who has shown explicit favoritism of the prosecution.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Nov. 2024
Get an explicit breakdown of events before starting something new.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explicit 
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Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Pope Francis has suggested the global community should study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel’s conduct in its year-long war.
—Reuters, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024
In his appeal, Allen could resurrect the issue of judicial bias ― that Gull was not a neutral arbiter but a judge who has shown explicit favoritism of the prosecution.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Nov. 2024
Get an explicit breakdown of events before starting something new.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explicit
Dictionary Entries Near explicit
Cite this Entry
“Explicit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explicit. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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