imply
imply
/ɪmˈplaɪ/
1 to suggest that something is true or that you feel or think something, without saying so directly
imply (that)…
Are you implying (that) I am wrong?
I disliked the implied criticism in his voice.
imply something
His silence seemed to imply agreement.
High-yield bonds, as the name implies, offer a high rate of interest.
it is implied that…
It was implied that we were at fault.
Collocations
adverb
verb + imply
phrases
express or implied
real or implied
2 to make it seem likely that something is true or exists
[* imply (that)…
The survey implies (that) more people are moving house than was thought.
it is implied that…
It was implied in the survey that…
imply something
Popularity does not necessarily imply merit.
The fact that she was here implies a degree of interest.
3 imply something (of an idea, action, etc.) to make something necessary in order to be successful
The project implies an enormous investment in training.
Sustainable development implies a long-term perspective.
Word Origin
late Middle English: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicare, from in- ‘in’ + plicare ‘to fold’. The original sense was ‘entwine’; in the 16th and 17th cents the word also meant ‘employ’. Compare with employ and implicate.
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