imply

Imply is defined as to suggest or express something indirectly or to involve something naturally.

(verb)

An example of imply is a man asking a woman out for coffee with friends.
An example of imply is to hint to someone that their attitude is the reason for a specific problem.

See imply in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb implied, implying

to have as a necessary part, condition, or effect; contain, include, or involve naturally or necessarily: drama implies conflict
to indicate indirectly or by allusion; hint; suggest; intimate: an attitude implying boredom
Obsolete to enfold; entangle

Origin: ME implien < OFr emplier < L implicare, to involve, entangle < in-, in + plicare, to fold: see ply

See imply in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb im·plied, im·ply·ing, im·plies

To involve by logical necessity; entail: Life implies growth and death.
To express or indicate indirectly: His tone implied disapproval. See Synonyms at suggest. See Usage Note at infer.
Obsolete To entangle.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English implien

Origin: , from Old French emplier, to enfold

Origin: , from Latin implicāre; see implicate

Learn more about imply

imply synonyms

imply in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box