Use tacit for approval, agreement, support, knowledge, or assumptions that are shown indirectly or simply understood.
Use tacit for approval, agreement, support, knowledge, or assumptions that are shown indirectly or simply understood.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She gave a tacit speech about the plan. | She gave an explicit speech about the plan. |
| The rules were tacit and printed on every wall. | The rules were explicit and printed on every wall. |
| He gave his tacit consent in a signed letter. | He gave his written consent in a signed letter. |
| The announcement was a tacit denial. | The announcement was an explicit denial. |
Use tacit for a wordless answer, prayer, sign, or response, especially in formal or literary writing.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| A tacit filled the room. | A silence filled the room. |
| The tacit of the library was comforting. | The quiet of the library was comforting. |
| She enjoyed the tacit after the argument. | She enjoyed the silence after the argument. |
| His tacit was broken by a laugh. | His silence was broken by a laugh. |
Use tacit in legal contexts for rights, obligations, or effects that the law supplies without an express written term.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The lease listed every tacit term in bold. | The lease listed every express term in bold. |
| A tacit mortgage was created by signing a detailed mortgage deed. | An express mortgage was created by signing a detailed mortgage deed. |
| The statute's tacit rule was stated word for word. | The statute's express rule was stated word for word. |
| The court called the written clause tacit. | The court called the written clause express. |
Choose tacit for what is implied by silence, behavior, or shared understanding, and use explicit or express for what is stated directly.
Calling a spoken or written statement tacit is wrong when the point is that it was openly expressed.
From French tacite and Latin tacitus, meaning silent or passed over in silence, from tacere, to be silent.
What does tacit mean?
Tacit means understood, accepted, or shown without being stated directly.
Is tacit the same as explicit?
No. Tacit is implied or unspoken, while explicit is stated clearly.
What is tacit approval?
Tacit approval is approval shown indirectly, often through silence, a nod, or lack of objection.
Can tacit mean silent?
Tacit can mean wordless or silent, but it is an adjective and not a noun for silence.
What is a tacit agreement?
A tacit agreement is an understanding accepted without being directly stated.
What is the opposite of tacit?
The main opposites of tacit are explicit, express, stated, and open.
What are synonyms for tacit?
Synonyms include implicit, implied, unspoken, unstated, and understood.
Where does tacit come from?
Tacit comes through French or directly from Latin tacitus, meaning silent.
How is tacit used in law?
In law, tacit can describe something implied or created by operation of law rather than written out expressly.