WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2022im•ply /ɪmˈplaɪ/USA pronunciation
v., -plied, -ply•ing.
- 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.
- 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 © 2022im•ply
(im plī′),USA pronunciation v.t., -plied, -ply•ing.
- to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated:His words implied a lack of faith.
- (of words) to signify or mean.
- to involve as a necessary circumstance:Speech implies a speaker.
- [Obs.]to enfold.
- Latin implicāre; see implicate
- Middle French emplier
- Middle English implien, emplien 1325–75
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged assume, include.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
imply /ɪmˈplaɪ/ vb ( -plies, -plying, -plied)(tr; may take a clause as object)- to express or indicate by a hint; suggest
- to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicāre to involve; see implicateUSAGE
infer
'implies' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):