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Imply vs Convey - What's the difference?

imply | convey |

As verbs the difference between imply and convey

is that imply is to have as a necessary consequence while convey is to transport; to carry; to take from one place to another.

imply

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • (of a proposition) to have as a necessary consequence
  • The proposition that "all dogs are mammals" implies that my dog is a mammal
  • (of a person) to suggest by logical inference
  • When I state that your dog is brown, I am not implying that all dogs are brown
  • (of a person or proposition) to hint; to insinuate; to suggest tacitly and avoid a direct statement
  • What do you mean "we need to be more careful with hygiene"? Are you implying that I don't wash my hands?
  • (archaic) to enfold, entangle.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.iv:
  • And in his bosome secretly there lay / An hatefull Snake, the which his taile vptyes / In many folds, and mortall sting implyes .

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . See

    Synonyms

    * (to have as a necessary consequence) entail * (to suggest tacitly) allude, hint, insinuate, suggest

    See also

    * connotation * entail

    convey

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To transport; to carry; to take from one place to another.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Convey me to my bed, then to my grave.
    Air conveys''' sound; words '''convey ideas.
  • To communicate; to make known; to portray.
  • to convey''' an impression; to '''convey information
  • * John Locke
  • Men fill one another's heads with noise and sound, but convey not thereby their thoughts.
  • (legal) To transfer legal rights (to).
  • He conveyed ownership of the company to his daughter.
  • * Spenser
  • The Earl of Desmond secretly conveyed all his lands to feoffees in trust.
  • (obsolete) To manage with privacy; to carry out.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I will convey the business as I shall find means.
  • (obsolete) To carry or take away secretly; to steal; to thieve.
  • Synonyms

    * (to convey a message) send, relay

    Derived terms

    * conveyable * conveyance * conveyee * conveyer * conveyor