implied

UK: /ɪmˈplaɪd/ US: (im plīd′)

From the verb imply: (⇒ conjugate)

implied is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•plied  (im plīd′), adj. 

1. involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood:
   an implied rebuke; an implied compliment.

• imply + -ed² 1520–30

im•pli•ed•ly  (im plī′id lē), adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

implied / ɪmˈplaɪd/ adjective

1. hinted at or suggested; not directly expressed: an implied criticism

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•ply /ɪmˈplaɪ/   v., -plied, -ply•ing. 

1. to indicate or suggest (something) without its being stated in words: [~ + object]
   His actions implied a lack of faith.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   The doctor's frown implied that something was wrong.
2. to involve as a necessary circumstance;
   presuppose:
   [~ + object] A fair trial implies a jury that is not biased.

See -plic-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•ply  (im plī′), v.t., -plied, -ply•ing. 

1. to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated:
   His words implied a lack of faith.
2. (of words) to signify or mean.
3. to involve as a necessary circumstance:
   Speech implies a speaker.
4. [Obs.] to enfold.

• Latin implicāre; see implicate
• Middle French emplier
• Middle English implien, emplien 1325–75

Synonyms

• 3. assume, include.

Usage

See infer. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

imply / ɪmˈplaɪ/ verb ( -plies, -plying, -plied)(tr; may take a clause as object)

1. to express or indicate by a hint; suggest
2. to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicāre to involve; see implicateUSAGE
infer