Explicit

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ enPR: Ä­k-splÄ­sʹĭt
• Rhymes: -ɪsɪt

Origin

First attested 1609, from French explicite, from Latin explicitus ("disentangled", "easy"), an alternative form of the past participle of explicāre ("to unfold"), from ex- ("out") + plicō ("to fold"). Pornographic sense is from 1971.

Full definition of explicit

Adjective

1. Very specific, clear, or detailed.I gave explicit instructions for him to stay here, but he followed me, anyway.
2. (euphemism) Containing material (e.g. language or film footage) that might be deemed offensive or graphic.The film had several scenes including explicit language and sex.
3. (obsolete) Used at the conclusion of a book to indicate the end.

Synonyms

• (very specific, clear) express, manifest, overt
• (containing offensive material) raunchy

Antonyms

• (very specific, clear) implicit, unexplicit, vague
• (containing offensive material) circumspect

Derived terms

Related terms