implies

4 definitions • 7 examples

to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly:

[ + (that) ] Are you implying (that) I'm fat?

I'm not implying anything about your cooking, but could we eat out tonight?

imply criticism I detected an implied criticism of the way he was treated.

used to show that the name, explanation, etc. of something tells you something else about it:

Variable rate loans, as the name implies, have a variable interest rate.

to involve something or make it necessary:

Socialism implies equality.

to suggest something without saying it directly, or to involve something as a necessary part or condition:

[ + (that) clause ] He implied (that) the error was mine.

Democracy implies free elections.