An implication is something suggested or understood without being directly stated. When your friend says “I'm really tired” while you're showing them your extensive rock collection, the implication is that they'd like to stop looking at rocks, even though they didn't say those exact words.

Implications are everywhere in daily life. When a teacher says “I hope everyone studied for today's quiz,” the implication is clear: there's going to be a quiz, and you should be prepared. When someone asks “Did you finish your chores?” the implication suggests they think you might not have.

Understanding implications means reading between the lines. If your parents say “We'll see” when you ask for something, you understand the implication that the answer is probably no, or at least not yes yet. Literature is full of implications: when a character looks away and changes the subject, the author is implying (suggesting) that the character is hiding something.

The word can also describe logical consequences. Scientists might discuss the implications of a discovery, meaning what effects or conclusions follow from it. If a new planet were discovered, one implication might be that life exists elsewhere in the universe. Being aware of implications helps you understand both what people say and what they really mean.