explain

[ ik-spleyn ]

/ ɪkˈspleɪn /

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See synonyms for: explain / explained / explaining / explains on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible: to explain an obscure point.

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.

verb (used without object)

to give an explanation.

Verb Phrases

explain away,

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.
to dispel (doubts, difficulties, etc.) by explanation: She explained away the child's fears.

OTHER WORDS FOR explain

1 explicate.

4 justify.

See synonyms for explain on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR explain

1 confuse.

See antonyms for explain on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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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, plane¹

OTHER WORDS FROM explain

ex·plain·a·ble, adjectiveex·plain·er, ex·pla·na·tor

[ek-spluh-ney-ter], /ˈɛk spləˌneɪ tər/, nounmis·ex·plained, adjectivenon·ex·plain·a·ble, adjective

o·ver·ex·plain, verbpre·ex·plain, verbre·ex·plain, verb (used with object)un·ex·plain·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·plain·a·bly, adverbun·ex·plained, adjectiveun·ex·plain·ing, adjectivewell-ex·plained, adjective

How to use explain in a sentence

This is why it’s so important for fitness creators on TikTok to not only to show, but also explain how to do a particular movement.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
That response helps explain a lot about the presidential race more broadly.
In 160 words, Trump reveals how little he cares about the pandemic|Philip Bump|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
That partly explains all the team changes he’s had over the years.
Bam Adebayo Is Making Plays, Denver Is Making Us Look Bad, And The Lakers May Need To Make Some Adjustments|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The agency noted that’s the maximum allowed under state law but did not explain why it had earlier proposed a larger amount.
This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators|by Ken Ward Jr.|September 17, 2020|ProPublica

Normally, when rain falls the droplets are intercepted by leaves, branches, or grasses before hitting the ground, explains Ann Youberg, a senior research scientist with the Arizona Geological Survey.
California wildfires may give way to massive mudslides|Ula Chrobak|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
To his critics, he explained—sometimes at painful length—his reasoning against it.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Conway goes on to list a series of other coincidences that he suggests are not simply explained.
Harry’s Daddy, and Diana’s ‘Murder’: Royal Rumors In a New Play|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We look for the qualities that are evocative of V.S.O.P Privilege,” explained Hennessy Senior Vice President Rodney Williams.
Streetwear pioneer, visionary entrepreneur, and community mentor Daymond John is honored with Hennessy Privilege Award|Hennessy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He was courteous, explained the legitimate reason we were briefly pulled over, and then let us continue on our way.
Obama Is Right on Race. The Media Is Wrong.|Keli Goff|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a hot-button cover story interview with Vanity Fair, Lawrence explained it best.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While they were doing this, he assembled the officers around him, and the meaning of our night march was explained to us.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
"That is why I told you the other meeting seemed a long time ago," explained the girl.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
With some difficulty Jos explained his mother's disclaimer of the title of Senora, and the choice of names she offered to Ramona.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
"This toadstool is growing bigger all the time," Grandfather Mole explained.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
They represented, as has been explained, the operation of the system of natural liberty by which every man got what he is worth.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock

British Dictionary definitions for explain

explain

/ (ɪkˈspleɪn) /

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

Derived forms of explain

explainable, adjectiveexplainer, noun

Word Origin for explain

C15: from Latin explānāre to flatten, from plānus level

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

explain

OTHER WORDS FOR explain

OPPOSITES FOR explain

Origin of explain

OTHER WORDS FROM explain

Words related to explain

How to use explain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for explain

Derived forms of explain

Word Origin for explain