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
Derived Forms
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explainernoun
-
explanatornoun
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overexplainverb
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preexplainverb
-
reexplainverb (used with object)
-
explainableadjective
-
misexplainedadjective
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nonexplainableadjective
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unexplainableadjective
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unexplainedadjective
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unexplainingadjective
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well-explainedadjective
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unexplainablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
explainsimple
-
explainssimple
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have explainedperfect
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has explainedperfect
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am explainingprogressive
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are explainingprogressive
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is explainingprogressive
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have been explainingperfect progressive
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has been explainingperfect progressive
Past
-
explainedsimple
-
had explainedperfect
-
was explainingprogressive
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were explainingprogressive
-
had been explainingperfect progressive
Future
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”; see origin at ex- 1, plane 1
Explanation
To explain something is to define it, show how it works, or just tell what it is. Explaining helps people understand. If you know football really well, then you could probably explain it to a non-fan. Explaining makes things clearer. A lot of teaching is explaining — telling how something works. Also, if you do something wrong, people will ask you to explain your actions. Explaining can help someone "get it" — whatever "it" is.
Vocabulary lists containing explain
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
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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.
See Examples For:
Today—with the help of Slate’s resident nuclear expert Fred Kaplan—I’ll explain what we know about the potential deal, and what questions remain.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
"Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this thing will go through."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
IBM’s board of directors has debated how to explain its recent results to investors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Every once in a while a character will attempt to explain things, addressing questions you might have.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Oh, Mama, I don’t honestly know how to explain how I felt in that moment.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Slate’s Sam Adams explains how Netflix became a bad TV friend.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
"I never felt that I was neat, tidy, presentable, or in the uniform that I was meant to be in," explains veteran Rhian Brown, who left the service in 2024.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
All that explains why the “top cop” job has gone from being a second-tier statewide office to one of the most sought-after positions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
"This discovery came from fundamental chemical research," he explains.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Hasn’t got the temperament,” explains Caesar, calling up to me.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
This link between the environment and its natural soundscape, Bacquelé explained, is being transformed by human activity.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Thomas explained that illegally parking in a bike lane has always been an infraction, and this system is just helping to hold citizens accountable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The increased use of coal-fired power plants is also explained by a surge in energy prices in 2026.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
“We never really had the time to focus on designing the house properly before. We just kept having kids and working,” he explained.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
He had slithered into the kitchen, explained about the peanut-butter-eating lizard, and his mother had realized that it was probably feeding time in the lizard world.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
The recipes are interspersed with stories from Kwon’s childhood in the store and illustrated spreads devoted to ingredients such as seaweed and tofu, explaining their varieties, particular virtues and best uses.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
The couple worked with designer Tammy Price on the project—with Kimberly explaining that their first request for her was to source furniture that would work both inside and out.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
"We generated plasma at the water surface while simultaneously introducing gas into the PFAS-contaminated water," says Sebastian Reinecke, explaining the experimental setup.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
Paul, 67, a retired postman from Lowestoft, Suffolk, said that in 2008 his father received a flyer explaining how to protect his assets by entrusting his home over to Long and UWP.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
I didn’t think I’d have to do any explaining to Mama and Daisy about my monkey trouble, but I should have known better.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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.
