explicit, implicit

The word explicit means “fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied.” It also means “readily observable,” as in an explicit sign of success. And, of course, explicit describes material that is sexually graphic.

The word implicit means “implied or understood; not expressed directly.”

If you’ll think of the words expressed (explicit) and implied (implicit), you’ll remember the difference between the two.

Example: The scenes involving physical contact in a raunchy movie can be very explicit. The only physical contact in most popular romantic novels is usually implicit.