Word
explicitly
Meanings
in a clear, direct, and unambiguous way; not implicitly
with specific details stated openly, especially in rules or instructions
Definition
Explicitly means in a clear, direct way that leaves no doubt about the meaning.
Explicitly is an adverb used when something is stated or shown very clearly and directly. It highlights that the message is not implied or left for people to guess. It is often used in rules, instructions, agreements, and careful explanations. In writing, it can signal that you are being precise about what is and is not included.
Examples
- I explicitly asked the vendor to confirm the delivery window before I approved the order.
- You should explicitly state your assumptions in the introduction so readers can follow your reasoning.
- He explicitly told the team that the deadline would not be extended, even if new requests arrived.
- She explicitly rejected the claim that the results were manipulated, and she explained her method step by step.
- They explicitly agreed to share the workload evenly, which prevented misunderstandings later on.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse explicitly with clearly, but explicitly emphasizes that something is stated directly rather than merely easy to understand.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adverbs
- farther Farther means at a greater physical distance than something else.
- further Further means at a greater distance or to a greater degree, or it refers to additional things.
- literally Literally means “in the exact, real sense,” not figuratively or as an exaggeration.
- figuratively Figuratively means in a non-literal way, using a metaphor or image to express an idea.
- accordingly In a way that is appropriate to the situation or follows logically from it.