1a. Fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied. b. Fully and clearly defined or formulated: “generalizations that are powerful, precise, and explicit” (Frederick Turner). 2. Forthright and unreserved in expression: They were explicit in their criticism.3a. Readily observable: an explicit sign of trouble.b. Describing or portraying nudity or sexual activity in graphic detail.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin explicitus, past participle of explicre, to unfold. See explicate.
OTHER FORMS:
ex·plicit·ly —ADVERB ex·plicit·ness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
explicit, categorical, definite, express, specific These adjectives mean entirely clear and unambiguous: explicit statements; a categorical refusal; a definite answer; my express wishes; a specific purpose.
k-spl
re, to unfold. See explicate.
