imply

Meaning

1. (transitive) To have as a necessary consequence; to lead to (something) as a consequence.
2. (transitive) To suggest by logical inference.
3. (transitive) To hint; to insinuate; to suggest tacitly and avoid a direct statement.
4. (archaic) To enfold, entangle.

Synonyms

mean

hint

indicate

insinuate

suggest

intimate

signify

implicate

connote

denote

entail

involve

import

purport

represent

hint at

allude

infer

intend

stand for

include

convey

refer to

necessitate

show

assume

allude to

give a hint

spell

point

inculpate

incriminate

remind

require

reveal

score

signal

spot

stigmatise

stigmatize

subscribe

telegraph

tell

think of

with

design

pre-announce

contain

intimate 2

accession

Translations

impliquer

implizieren

implicar

implicare

sous-entendre

signifier

impliceren

andeuten

bedeuten

insinuer

comportare

implicar

sottintendere

insluiten

implicar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪmˈplaɪ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: implien

In summary

From Middle English implien, emplien, borrowed from Old French emplier, from Latin implicare (“to infold, involve”), from in (“in”) + plicare (“to fold”). Doublet of employ and implicate.