explain

[ik-spleyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible.

   to explain an obscure point.

   Synonyms: explicate
   Antonyms: confuse

2. to make known in detail.

   to explain how to do something.

3. to assign a meaning to; interpret.

   How can you explain such a silly remark?

4. to make clear the cause or reason of; account for.

   I cannot explain his strange behavior.

   Synonyms: justify

verb (used without object)

1. to give an explanation.

verb phrase

1. explain away

   1. to diminish or nullify the significance of by explanation.

      He couldn't explain away his absence from home at the time the robbery was committed.

   2. to dispel (doubts, difficulties, etc.) by explanation.

      She explained away the child's fears.

explain

/ ɪkˈspleɪn /

verb

1. (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

2. (tr) to justify or attempt to justify (oneself) by giving reasons for one's actions or words

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of explain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of explain¹

C15: from Latin explānāre to flatten, from plānus level

Example Sentences

Privately, they have explained to me that it is the manager’s decision to blast inane, Paleolithic Rick Astley tunes at ear-shattering volumes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Summers explains that the compound used in this study is closely related to, but not identical to, the ceramide-lowering drug that has entered human clinical testing.

Read more on Science Daily

To no surprise, the nation’s top investment-banking and consulting firms descend on elite schools to find the brightest minds—a pilgrimage that explains why Wall Street is packed with Ivy League alumni.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Victoria said he might have acted out because he could not explain his pain.

Read more on BBC

"It tells us a lot about his private life - or more accurately, that he didn't have a private life," he explains.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• analyze 
• clarify 
• define 
• demonstrate 
• describe 
• disclose 
• expound 
• illustrate 
• interpret 
• justify 
• point out 
• read 
• resolve 
• reveal 
• solve 
• spell out 
• tell 

When To Use

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.