# imply

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪmˈplaɪ/ · frequency rank #9,191

## Definitions
1. To have as a necessary consequence; to lead to (something) as a consequence.
2. To suggest by logical inference.
3. To hint; to insinuate; to suggest tacitly and avoid a direct statement.
4. To enfold, entangle.

## Etymology
From Middle English implien, emplien, borrowed from Old French emplier, from Latin implicare (“to infold, involve”), from in (“in”) + plicare (“to fold”). Doublet of employ and implicate.

## Easily confused with
- **IPL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imply-vs-ipl)
- **Italy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imply-vs-italy)
- **idly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-imply)
- **impala** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impala-vs-imply)

## Common misspellings (8)
`imlpy`, `immply`, `implly`, `implyy`, `impply`, `impyl`, `ipmly`, `miply`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/imply