implied
implied — 形容詞
1. understood without being stated in a direct or open way — the listener or reader
含蓄的；暗含的
未直接說出但可理解的
understood without being stated in a direct or open way — the listener or reader knows the meaning even though nobody said it out loud.
Andre gave his implied consent by nodding instead of saying yes out loud.
Andre 沒有開口說好，但他點了點頭，算是給出了含蓄的同意。
implied + noun (consent) for unspoken agreement
The warning was implied in the manager's choice of words during the meeting.
經理的用詞雖然委婉，但警告之意暗含在話語中。
Elena understood the implied criticism when her friend changed the subject.
Elena 的朋友一轉移話題，她就明白那是在暗含批評。
- implicit
slightly more formal; both mean 'understood but not stated', but 'implicit' can also mean 'complete and unquestioning'
- unspoken
focuses on the fact that words were not used, less formal
- tacit
more formal, often used in legal or professional contexts
- understood
more general; can refer to information known from any source, not just indirect communication
文法句型
implied + noun
be + implied
用法筆記
This adjective is common before a noun (attributive position) such as 'implied threat' or 'implied meaning', but also works after verbs like 'be' or 'seem' — for example, 'the message was implied.'
常見錯誤
implied — 動詞
1. to suggest an idea, feeling, or opinion without stating it directly — you expect
暗示；暗指
不直接說出意思
to suggest an idea, feeling, or opinion without stating it directly — you expect the listener to understand what you really mean from your tone, choice of words, or behaviour.
Mei-Lin implied that she wanted to leave early when she kept checking her watch.
Mei-Lin 不停看手錶，暗示她想早點離開。
imply + that-clause for indirect communication
Oluwaseun's tone implied deep disappointment with the team's performance.
Oluwaseun 的語氣暗示他對團隊的表現非常失望。
Zahra did not call her brother lazy, but her words clearly implied it.
Zahra 沒有直接說哥哥懶惰，但她的話語明顯在暗指這一點。
What exactly are you implying by saying that Xin made a mistake?
你說 Xin 犯了錯，到底是在暗示什麼？
- state outright
to say something clearly and directly, with no hidden meaning
- declare
to announce something in a formal or definite way
文法句型
imply + noun
imply + that-clause
what + be + subject + implying
用法筆記
Very often followed by a that-clause when the speaker's intended meaning is given as an idea ('He implied that the plan was too expensive'). In spoken English, the question 'What are you implying?' is a common way to challenge someone who is making an unclear accusation.
常見錯誤
2. to involve something as a necessary result or condition — if one thing is true o
意味著；必然包含
作為必要結果或條件
to involve something as a necessary result or condition — if one thing is true or happens, the other thing must also be true or happen as a logical consequence.
Studying abroad implies adapting to a different culture and daily routine.
出國留學意味著要適應不同的文化與生活習慣。
imply + gerund for necessary consequence
Fumi accepted the job offer, which implied relocating to the Singapore office.
Fumi 接受了這份工作，這意味著她要搬到新加坡的分公司。
A fair-trade label on a product implies that farmers received a reasonable price.
產品上的公平貿易標籤意味著農民獲得了合理的價格。
Vikram's role as team leader implies responsibility for every member's safety.
Vikram 擔任組長，就必然要對每個隊員的安全負責。
- entail
more formal, strong logical necessity — if A entails B, B cannot be avoided
- involve
broader; can mean 'include as a part', not necessarily a logical requirement
- necessitate
formal; emphasises that something is made necessary
- mean
informal and very common in everyday speech
文法句型
imply + noun phrase
something implies something else
用法筆記
Unlike 'imply' in sense 1 (SUGGEST INDIRECTLY), this sense describes a logical or practical relationship — not a speaker's intention. For example, a job offer implies a salary, whether anyone says so or not. The subject is often a situation, role, or action rather than a person.
常見錯誤
3. to show that something is connected to or associated with another thing based on
隱含；間接表明
透過聯想間接顯示
to show that something is connected to or associated with another thing based on names, descriptions, or surrounding facts — the connection is not stated but can be understood from the available information.
The name 'Lakewood' implies a residential area near water, though the lake dried up years ago.
「湖林」這個地名隱含該區靠近水域，儘管那湖泊多年前就已經乾涸了。
implied by name — meaning derived from a name
Diego's official title of 'Senior Consultant' implies a high level of expertise within the firm.
Diego 的頭銜是「資深顧問」，這間接表明他在公司內具有高度專業能力。
The lawyer argued that the terms of the contract implied a duty of care toward the client.
律師主張合約條款隱含了對客戶的照顧義務。
Chitra's detailed description of the accident implied that the other driver was at fault.
Chitra 對車禍過程的詳細描述間接表明對方駕駛有過失。
- contradict
to be opposite or inconsistent with something
- belie
to give a false impression of something; formal
文法句型
imply + noun
imply + that-clause
implied by + noun
用法筆記
This sense is common in formal, legal, and analytical contexts. The key difference from sense 1 is that the connection is not deliberately chosen by a speaker — it arises naturally from the facts. For example, a street name like 'Park Lane' implies a park nearby, whether the planner intended that meaning or not.