explicitly

When something is explained explicitly, it is laid out in clear, unmistakable terms, with no room for guessing. Think of a recipe that tells you exactly how much flour to use, or instructions that explicitly say, "Do not touch the red wire." It is about leaving nothing implied. You might explicitly tell your friend that you need help moving, rather than hinting and hoping they offer.

The word comes from a root meaning "unfolded," like unfolding an idea so it is fully visible. Sometimes things are understood implicitly (without being stated), but when you want to be sure everyone understands, you state it explicitly. A lawyer might explicitly outline the terms of a contract to avoid future misunderstandings.

To say something explicitly means to express it in a clear, detailed, and unambiguous way, leaving no room for interpretation. It is about being direct and clear, rather than relying on hints, suggestions, or assumptions. For example: "The teacher explicitly explained the rules of the game," meaning she stated them clearly and left no question about what was allowed.

Explicitly is often used in contrast with implicitly, which means something is understood without being directly expressed. While a parent might implicitly expect their child to be home by curfew, they might explicitly state it if the child has been late before.

You will find explicitly used frequently in formal contexts like legal documents, scientific reports, or instructions where precision is crucial. A contract will explicitly list all terms and conditions. However, it can also appear in everyday conversation when you want to emphasize clarity: "I explicitly told him not to share that information."

The word comes from the Latin explicitus, meaning "unfolded" or "explained." Think of unfolding a map: everything is laid out for you to see. So, if you want to make sure your message is understood without any doubt, state it explicitly.