different between explicit vs exactly

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?spl?s?t/ enPR: ?k-spl?s??t
• Rhymes: -?s?t

Adjective

explicit (comparative more explicit, superlative most explicit)

1. Very specific, clear, or detailed.

   I gave explicit instructions for him to stay here, but he followed me, anyway.

2. (euphemistic) 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.

Synonyms

• (very specific, clear): express, manifest, overt; see also Thesaurus:explicit
• (containing offensive material): raunchy

Antonyms

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

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Phrase

explicit

1. (obsolete) Used at the conclusion of a book to indicate the end.

Further reading

• explicit in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• explicit in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

French

Alternative forms

• (proscribed) excipit

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin explicit (“to unfold”).

Noun

explicit m (plural explicits)

1. end (of a story)

Antonyms

• incipit

References

• “explicit” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Old French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin explicit.

Noun

explicit m (oblique plural expliciz or explicitz, nominative singular expliciz or explicitz, nominative plural explicit)

1. end (of a story)

Synonyms

• finit

Romanian

Etymology

From French explicite, from Latin explicitus.

Adjective

explicit m or n (feminine singular explicit?, masculine plural explici?i, feminine and neuter plural explicite)

1. explicit

Declension

Swedish

Adjective

explicit

1. explicit

Adverb

explicit

1. explicitly

English

Etymology

exact +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???zæk(t)li/

Adverb

exactly (comparative more exactly, superlative most exactly)

1. (manner) Without approximation; precisely.

2. (focus) Precisely, used to provide emphasis.
   • 2012, Amlynn Smith, Lost and Found (page 18)

     His hair is a semilong dull red and pulled back in a sloppy pony at the base of his neck, and his face is riddled with small freckles and grease, but out here I can see personal hygiene isn't exactly at the top of the priority list.

Synonyms

• (without approximation): accurately, exact, perfectly; see also Thesaurus:exactly

Antonyms

• (without approximation): approximately

Translations

Interjection

exactly

1. Signifies agreement or recognition.

Translations