explanatory

[ik-splan-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

See more synonyms for explanatory on Thesaurus.com

adjective

serving to explain: an explanatory footnote.

Sometimes ex·plan·a·tive

[ik-splan-uh-tiv] /ɪkˈsplæn ə tɪv/.

Origin of explanatory

From the Late Latin word explānātōrius, dating back to 1610–20. See explain, -tory¹

Related formsex·plan·a·to·ri·ly, ex·plan·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·ex·plan·a·tive, adjectivenon·ex·plan·a·to·ry, adjectivepre·ex·plan·a·to·ry, adjectiveun·ex·plan·a·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for explanatory

supplementary, informative, analytical, interpretive, allegorical, critical, demonstrative, discursive, expository, graphic, illustrative, instructive, summary, enlightening, exegetic, explicative, hermeneutic, illuminative, annotative, declarative

Examples from the Web for explanatory

Contemporary Examples of explanatory

For centuries scientists included God as a part of their explanatory package.
2014: Revenge of the Creationists
Karl W. Giberson
December 27, 2014
This means that the camera has to be static and I have to include some explanatory inter-titles.
Inside ‘Maidan’: Sergei Loznitsa on His Ukrainian Uprising Doc and Putin’s ‘Fascist’ Regime
Richard Porton
May 24, 2014
I went on to argue that the explanatory deficiencies of ID are overwhelming, extending far beyond bad and sinister design.
My Debate With an ‘Intelligent Design’ Theorist
Karl W. Giberson
April 21, 2014
But with Wasps, the caretakers lock the explanatory sorrows away, then swallow the key.
The Last of the Wasps
Tad Friend
September 27, 2009
Explanatory Reporting The Los Angeles Times Just about everyone living in Southern California has had experience with wildfires.
The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winners
The Daily Beast
April 20, 2009

Historical Examples of explanatory

A letter, let it be ever so explanatory, will only leave them in suspense.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
I was in hopes of one moment, one explanatory word or look from Berenice.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
And Emilio was no longer at hand to be explanatory if desired.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
The answer, delivered by Mr. Dickens, was condescending and explanatory.
Cap'n Warren's Wards
Joseph C. Lincoln
Perhaps we may speak one explanatory word about it and let it go.
Despair's Last Journey
David Christie Murray

British Dictionary definitions for explanatory

explanatory

explanative

adjective

serving or intended to serve as an explanation

Derived Formsexplanatorily, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for explanatory

adj.

1610s, from or modeled on Late Latin explanatorius "having to do with an explanation," from Latin explanat-, past participle stem of explanare (see explanation).