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Word of the day: Tacit

Sandy Verma | July 10, 2026 10:25 AM CST

Human interaction depends on far more than the words people exchange. A glance across a room, a familiar routine among colleagues or an expectation that everyone seems to recognise can communicate just as effectively as a conversation. Much of life operates through signals, habits and assumptions that are never formally explained. These quiet understandings help relationships and communities function smoothly, often without anyone noticing them. The word tacit belongs to this world of unspoken communication. It describes ideas, permissions or agreements that are recognised by those involved even though they have never been directly expressed.

What does the word Tacit mean

Tacit describes something that is accepted, understood or assumed without being clearly stated. It usually refers to an understanding or approval that exists without verbal or written confirmation.

Pronunciation of the word Tacit

Phonetic pronunciation: /ˈtæsɪt/
Simple pronunciation: TASS-it
The stress falls on the syllable: TAS

Origin of the word Tacit

The term originates from the Latin tacitus, meaning “quiet” or “silent”. It entered English with the sense of something remaining unspoken while still being recognised or understood by others.

How to use the word Tacit in sentences

The team worked under a tacit understanding that deadlines would be respected.
Her decision received tacit support from those who chose not to object.
There appeared to be a tacit agreement among residents to maintain the shared garden.
Years of experience created a tacit knowledge that could not easily be written down.

Synonyms of Tacit

Implicit
Unvoiced
Assumed
Unspoken

Antonyms of Tacit

Explicit
Declared
Stated
Expressed