Imply - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To imply means to suggest something indirectly without stating it explicitly. It is used when a speaker or writer hints at an idea or meaning rather than expressing it directly.
Definition:
To suggest something indirectly without stating it explicitly.
Synonyms:
suggest, hint, insinuate, indicate
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
state, declare
Common Collocations:
strongly imply, seem to imply, clearly imply, imply that
Derivatives:
implication, implied, implying
Usage Tips:
Use "imply" when hinting at something without direct expression; avoid confusion with "infer," which is the listener's action.
Common Phrases:
read between the lines, by implication, left unsaid
Etymology:
From Latin "implicare," meaning "to involve or entangle," via Old French "emplier."
Examples:
- 1. Her smile implied she knew the secret.
- 2. The report implies a need for change.
- 3. He didn’t say it directly but implied agreement.
- 4. Silence often implies consent in negotiations.