Meaning of imply in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ɪmˈplaɪ/

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   imply

   Etymology

   late Middle English: from Old French emplier, from Latin implicare, from in-‘in’ + plicare‘to fold’. The original sense was ‘entwine’; in the 16th and 17th centuries the word also meant ‘employ’. Compare with employ and implicate

   Definitions

   1. express or state indirectly
2. 2. suggest as a logically necessary consequence

   Examples

   • « in logic »
3. 3. have as a logical consequence

   Examples

   • « The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers »
4. 4. suggest that someone is guilty
5. 5. have as a necessary feature or consequence

   Examples

   • « entail »
   • « This decision involves many changes »