Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #1675
imply
暗示；暗指；间接表示
express or state something indirectly rather than saying it directly
- 1.
To have as a necessary consequence; to lead to (something) as a consequence.
必然导致；作为结果引起。
- 2.
To suggest by logical inference.
通过逻辑推理暗示。
- 3.
To hint; to insinuate; to suggest tacitly and avoid a direct statement.
暗示；含沙射影；隐晦地提示而不直接说明。
蕴含；逻辑上意味着；必然包含；牵涉；意味着；必然导致；作为结果引起。；通过逻辑推理暗示。；暗示；含沙射影；隐晦地提示而不直接说明。
In use
Her silence seemed to imply that she did not agree with the plan.
Are you implying that I didn't do my part of the work?
His tone implied that the matter was closed, so I did not ask again.
imply + noun phrase
His tone implied disapproval.
他的语气暗示了不赞同。
imply + that clause
that 从句可省略 that。
The study implies that further research is needed.
这项研究表明需要进一步研究。
Verb forms
base imply · third person implies · -ing implying · past implied · past participle implied
注意: 过去式和过去分词变y为i加ed
Common mistakes
Connections
Collocations
- imply that
- 暗示…
- His tone implied that he was not interested.他的语气暗示他不感兴趣。
- strongly imply
- 强烈暗示
- The data strongly imply a connection between the two factors.数据强烈暗示这两个因素之间存在联系。
- logically imply
- 逻辑上意味着
- If A is true, then it logically implies B.如果A为真，那么它在逻辑上意味着B。
- imply something
- 暗示某事
- What are you trying to imply?你想暗示什么？
- seem to imply
- 似乎暗示
- His remarks seem to imply that he disagrees.他的话似乎暗示他不同意。
- imply guilt
Learner notes
Memory Tip
imply = im (在) + ply (折叠)，把意思折叠在里面，即暗示。
Context & Register
多用于日常交流和写作，表示委婉地暗示；在法律或逻辑讨论中也可表示必然结果。语气中性，但可能带有负面含义（如暗示有罪）时需注意。
Grammar Note
及物动词，后接名词或that从句。
Pronunciation & Spelling
Words ending in -ply (apply, comply, supply, reply) rhyme with imply and share the same spelling pattern. Also rhyming but with different spelling: sly, fly.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 3，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.