explanatory
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of explanatory
From the Late Latin word explānātōrius, dating back to 1610–20. See explain, -tory 1
Explanation
Use the adjective explanatory when you're talking about a clarification or an explanation. An abstract artwork in a gallery that consists of an old sneaker might require an explanatory note, for example. The Latin word explanare is at the root of explanatory, and its literal meaning is "to make level or to flatten." When you give an explanatory answer or make an explanatory speech, you are laying it all out — providing all the details your listener needs to understand. Anything that makes something more clear can be described as explanatory, like a footnote in a term paper or your apologetic list of reasons for being late to your best friend's party.
Vocabulary lists containing explanatory
Common Core Grades 7–8, List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Common Core Grade 6, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Common Core Grades 9–10, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The montage, with no commentary or explanatory captions, showed off improved graphics, detailed environments and a selection of car-chases and shoot-outs from the sequel.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Regardless of what other indicators you include in your model, you often find that including interest rates in your model not only does not increase its explanatory power but actually reduces it.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Kalshi’s latest oddball ad takes a more explanatory approach than its recent spots, explicitly distinguishing prediction markets from traditional sportsbooks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Those indicators, which have predicted movements in consumer sentiment, have lost their explanatory power recently.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
He would have been fascinated by its implications, moved by the tenderness of its labor, and struck by its strange explanatory power.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
