implication

Everyday

1. A possible result or effect that something will have later. tree →
2. Something that is suggested but not said directly. tree →
3. (formal) Being shown to be part of something bad, as in his implication in the crime. tree →

In the lessons

In formal writing and exams: «What are the implications of this result?» means «What will it lead to?». In reading lessons pupils find implications — what a writer hints at. In science: the implications of pollution for animals. Phrases: by implication, serious implications.

Examples

• Think about the implications before you decide. tree →
• The implication was that we had been lazy. tree →
• Climate change has big implications for polar bears. tree →
• By implication, she was saying I was wrong. tree →
• The new rule has implications for every class. tree →
• What is the implication of this graph? tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: imply (implies, implied). Do not confuse with «implicate» (to show someone was part of a crime) though they are related. In maths logic, «implication» means «if… then».