imply
gb/ɪmplˈaɪ/ us/ɪmplˈaɪ/
B2
English
~ 1800
sugall, céloz, utal, jár, feltételez, jelent
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to imply [that] [clause]
Her tone seemed to imply that she was upset.
A hangneme mintha azt sugallta volna, hogy feldúlt.
The report implies a connection between diet and health.
A jelentés kapcsolatot sugall a táplálkozás és az egészség között.
Are you implying that I made a mistake?
He didn’t say it directly, but he implied that he wanted to leave.
The smile implied that he agreed with the plan.
Learner examples
She implied that she was tired.
Azt sugallta, hogy fáradt.
The teacher implied that the test would be hard.
A tanár azt sugallta, hogy nehéz lesz a dolgozat.
Are you implying that I am wrong?
His words implied that he was not happy.
The sign implies that parking is not allowed.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'imply' with 'infer'. 'Imply' is what the speaker does; 'infer' is what the listener does.
Meaning
suggest indirectly
Collocations
strongly imply
|seem to imply
|clearly imply
|implicitly imply
Synonyms
suggest (Suggest can be more general and does not always mean indirect communication.)
|
hint (Hint is often softer and more casual, and may involve small clues rather than full ideas.)
Antonyms
state (State means to say something clearly and directly.)
|
declare (Declare means to announce something openly and formally.)
Themes
communication
|language
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say something in a way that makes people understand another meaning without using clear words.
To express or indicate something in an indirect way, without stating it explicitly.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
to imply [something]
This job will imply long hours and weekend work.
Ez a munka hosszú munkaidővel és hétvégi munkával jár majd.
High levels of pollution imply a threat to public health.
A magas szintű szennyezés veszélyt jelent a közegészségre.
The new law implies changes in existing regulations.
A win here would imply qualification for the finals.
Such behavior implies a lack of respect.
Learner examples
Being a doctor implies long study.
Az orvosi pálya hosszú tanulmányokkal jár.
Good health implies good food and rest.
A jó egészség jó táplálkozást és pihenést feltételez.
A new rule implies changes at work.
This job implies working at night.
Winning implies playing well.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this logical or necessary-result sense with the communication sense of 'imply'. Context should clarify which is intended.
Meaning
involve as a consequence
Collocations
necessarily imply
|logically imply
|imply the existence
Synonyms
entail (More formal, often used in legal or academic contexts.)
|
require (Stronger sense of necessity rather than logical connection.)
Antonyms
exclude (To make sure something is not included or involved.)
|
contradict (To be in conflict with something rather than involving it.)
Themes
logic
|science
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To mean that something must be true or happen because of another fact.
To have something as a necessary or logical part, condition, or result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imply
IPA
GB/ɪmplˈaɪ/
US/ɪmplˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
im - ply (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ply)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: imply
- 3rd Person Singular: implies
- Present Participle: implying
- Past: implied
Word family
Forms
implies
verb
implying
verb
implied
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
explicit
adjective B2
explicitly
adverb B2
Expressions
are you implying that...?
1/ˈɑɹ jˈu ɪmplˈaɪɪŋ ðˈæt ‖/
fixed phrase
ask if suggesting indirectly
A question used when you think someone is saying something in an indirect way.
Examples
- Are you implying that I’m lying?
- Are you implying that I should quit my job?
what are you implying?
1/wˈʌt ˈɑɹ jˈu ɪmplˈaɪɪŋ ‖/
fixed phrase
ask meaning of implication
A question used when you want someone to explain what they are suggesting without saying directly.
Examples
- What are you implying by that comment?
- What are you implying when you say he’s ‘interesting’?