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
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(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
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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
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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:
"I asked if we could go and get him back," Urmston said, "she did explain that it didn't work that way, so I promised her that I would find him for her one day."
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
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
An improvement in the finances of working people at the lower end of the economic scale might help explain why their spending on both essentials and discretionary items has accelerated recently, some economists said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 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
If anything, it’s them he’s gonna need to explain himself to.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Slate’s Sam Adams explains how Netflix became a bad TV friend.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
"Women today are wearing flat plates that have been designed for male torsos," explains Erin Grieve, from NP Aerospace.
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
"Our models predict that this new approach will generally outperform the standard of care," explains Dr. Noble.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
“All of our parents are very nice, except one,” Celia explains to me.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Retired accountant Mary-Louise Wedderburn explained the painting was left to her in her uncle's will two decades ago.
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
Someone must have explained to him that the wealthy already are fleeing Britain in droves, and such an increase would generate much less revenue than advertised.
From The Wall Street Journal ● 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
But Ushers, Brickbane once explained, had already left the gravity of their living bodies.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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
Yet the administration abandoned its review of the shootings before explaining what had gone wrong — or assuring the public that anything would change.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
Last month, Belgrove received a letter explaining he could be eligible for early release under changes being introduced through the Sentencing Act, external.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
However, those studies have generally shown associations rather than explaining exactly how coffee might produce protective effects.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
The class set to work, writing to the editor, explaining that the story he published about the mouse exhibit was not true.
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
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.
