Explicit Meaning
Explicit Definition & Usage
Clear and direct in expression, leaving no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
Examples
- "The instructions were explicit, making it easy for the workers to follow them."
- "Her explicit consent was required before proceeding with the procedure."
- "The movie had explicit scenes that were not suitable for children."
- "He gave me an explicit promise that he would help me with the project."
- "The professor's lecture was explicit, leaving no questions about the topic."
Referring to content, especially media, that contains graphic, often sexual, material.
Examples
- "The explicit content of the song led to it being censored on the radio."
- "He was shocked by the explicit nature of the video he watched online."
- "The book was criticized for its explicit descriptions of violence."
- "She was uncomfortable with the explicit jokes that were being made in the meeting."
- "Explicit lyrics can sometimes lead to songs being labeled as inappropriate for young listeners."
Cultural Context
The word 'explicit' originates from the Latin word 'explicitus', meaning 'unfolded' or 'unwrapped'. In modern English, it has come to refer to clear and unmistakable communication or, in certain contexts, to content with graphic details.
The Explicit Conversation
Story
The Explicit Conversation
One evening, Sarah and Jake sat down for a serious conversation. Sarah had been feeling uneasy for weeks, and finally, she decided it was time to be explicit about her concerns. 'Jake, I need to be clear,' she began, her voice steady. 'I feel like you're not prioritizing our relationship anymore.' Jake looked at her, taken aback. He had thought everything was going smoothly, but now he understood. Sarah was being explicit about something that had been bothering her for a long time. 'I'm sorry, Sarah,' Jake said, taking a deep breath. 'I had no idea you felt this way. I thought everything was fine, but I see now I wasn't being clear about how much you mean to me.' As they continued their conversation, Sarah realized that the explicit nature of her words had made a huge difference. Jake now understood exactly where she stood, and they both agreed that it was time to be more explicit about their feelings in the future. The next day, Sarah watched the news with a bit of discomfort. A new movie had just been released, and it had been rated for its explicit content. The film featured graphic violence and sexual scenes that had shocked many viewers. Sarah shook her head, thinking about how differently the word 'explicit' could be used in various contexts. Later that afternoon, Jake called Sarah to apologize again, this time with more clarity. 'I want to be explicit with you, Sarah,' he said. 'I'm committed to making this work.' The conversation had started as a serious relationship talk, but the word 'explicit' had played a role in how clearly both of them could express their feelings. It had even made Sarah reflect on how the same word could carry entirely different meanings depending on the situation—clarity versus graphic content. As they both navigated their emotions, it became evident that explicit communication was a powerful tool, not just for personal relationships but also in understanding the world around them.
Related Words
