explicitness
gb/ɪksplˈɪsɪtnəs/ us/ɪksplˈɪsɪtnəs/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
property
1
clear and direct expression
how clear and direct something is
Usage pattern:
the explicitness of [something]; [something]'s explicitness
Common mistake:
Do not use explicitness to mean explanation itself; it means the quality of being clear and direct.
Synonyms
clarity (more general; emphasizes being easy to understand)
|
directness (emphasizes saying something plainly without avoiding it)
|
unambiguity (more technical; emphasizes having only one possible meaning)
|
specificity (emphasizes precise detail rather than general clarity)
Antonyms
ambiguity (the state of being open to more than one meaning)
|
vagueness (lack of clear detail or precision)
|
implicitness (meaning that is suggested rather than directly stated)
Collocations
greater explicitness
|complete explicitness
|lack of explicitness
|degree of explicitness
|level of explicitness
|the need for explicitness
|the explicitness of the instructions
|the explicitness of the rules
|clarity and explicitness
Themes
communication
|writing
|education
|law
Examples
- The policy was praised for its explicitness about what employees can claim.
- The contract would benefit from greater explicitness about deadlines and penalties.
- Some readers appreciated the explicitness of her explanation, while others found it too detailed.
Learner examples
- We need more explicitness in the instructions.
- The teacher asked for explicitness in our answers.
Noun
C1
property
2
graphic sexual or violent detail
how openly and graphically a film, book, song, or image shows or describes sensitive content
Usage pattern:
the explicitness of [content]; the level/degree of explicitness in [something]
Common mistake:
In content warnings, explicitness often refers to sexual or graphic detail, not just ordinary clarity.
Synonyms
graphicness (emphasizes vivid or shocking detail; less common in everyday use)
|
frankness (emphasizes open treatment of sex or sensitive topics, often less negatively)
|
graphic detail (a phrase referring to the detailed content rather than the quality itself)
Antonyms
restraint (avoidance of graphic or direct presentation)
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suggestiveness (implies rather than directly shows or states sexual content)
|
implicitness (content is hinted at rather than openly shown or described)
Collocations
sexual explicitness
|graphic explicitness
|visual explicitness
|level of explicitness
|degree of explicitness
|the explicitness of the scene
|the explicitness of the lyrics
|a high level of explicitness
Themes
media
|entertainment
|sexuality
|violence
|content_warnings
Examples
- The film's explicitness led to a higher age rating.
- Parents complained about the sexual explicitness of the music video.
- The novel is powerful, but its explicitness about violence may disturb some readers.
Learner examples
- The movie has a lot of explicitness, so it is not for children.
- The warning mentions the explicitness of the images.
Grammar
Dictionary form
explicitness
IPA
GB/ɪksplˈɪsɪtnəs/
US/ɪksplˈɪsɪtnəs/
Syllables & stress
ex - pli - cit - ness (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pli)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: explicitness
- Plural: explicitness
Expressions
for the sake of explicitness
1/fɚ ðə sˈeɪk əv ɪksplˈɪsɪtnəs/
fixed phrase
formal
to make things fully clear
used when you add information so that there is no possible confusion
Examples
- For the sake of explicitness, the agreement states the exact start and end dates.
- For the sake of explicitness, let me define what I mean by “customer” here.
- The manual repeats the warning in each section for the sake of explicitness.