Words / C2

TAS-it/ˈtæsɪt/

Tacit means understood without being said: tacit agreement, tacit approval. Implicit (already in the dictionary) is a close cousin; unspoken is everyday. Taciturn (already in the dictionary) is a quiet person — related root, different job. Explicit is the opposite. Do not call a signed contract tacit.

Meaning

Understood or agreed without being stated.

Examples

• “There was tacit agreement not to mention the leaked draft.”
• “There was tacit agreement to skip the leaked draft in the open session.”
• “Tacit consent is inferred; a signature is not tacit, it is recorded.”

Good to know

Unspoken but understood. Close: implicit. Everyday: unspoken. Mix-up: taciturn (a quiet person). Opposite: explicit.

Near in meaning

unspoken

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