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Quick answer 60-second read Canonicalises to Imply vs. Infer

What's the difference between "imply" and "infer"?

The speaker implies. The listener infers. Two sides of the same exchange.

A little morei

To imply is to hint at something without stating it outright — the message is being sent. To infer is to read between the lines — the message is being received. If you are the one dropping the hint, you imply. If you are the one picking it up, you infer.

The full entryii

Confusables
Imply vs. Infer

The speaker implies. The listener infers.

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