explain
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible.
to explain an obscure point.
- Synonyms:
- explicate
- Antonyms:
- confuse
-
to make known in detail.
to explain how to do something.
-
to assign a meaning to; interpret.
How can you explain such a silly remark?
-
to make clear the cause or reason of; account for.
I cannot explain his strange behavior.
- Synonyms:
- justify
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
verb
-
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to make (something) comprehensible, esp by giving a clear and detailed account of the relevant structure, operation, surrounding circumstances, etc
-
(tr) to justify or attempt to justify (oneself) by giving reasons for one's actions or words
Usage
What are other ways to say explain?
To explain something is to make it plain or clear, or to render it understandable or intelligible. How does explain compare to synonyms elucidate, expound, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- explainable adjective
- explainer noun
- explanator noun
- misexplained adjective
- nonexplainable adjective
- overexplain verb
- preexplain verb
- reexplain verb (used with object)
- unexplainable adjective
- unexplainably adverb
- unexplained adjective
- unexplaining adjective
- well-explained adjective
Etymology
Origin of explain
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English explanen, from Latin explānāre “to smooth out, make intelligible, spread out on flat surface”; ex- 1, plane 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pair explained that they chose to wait to publicly announce their relationship “to take time to understand” what they felt.
From Los Angeles Times
By that afternoon, a parliamentary committee had unanimously voted to summon the CEO "to come and explain himself".
From BBC
Family marks the “renewal of society,” and that helps Orban link family policy to the “issue of constant demographic threat and decline that Hungary has been witnessing for more than 50 years,” she explained.
From Salon
Plus, why the ‘frown curve’ explains the modern Chinese market.
More than once he asked Sherborne to explain what would happen to his case "when you remove Burrows?"
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
