explanatory
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- explanatively adverb
- explanatorily adverb
- nonexplanative adjective
- nonexplanatory adjective
- preexplanatory adjective
- unexplanatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of explanatory
From the Late Latin word explānātōrius, dating back to 1610–20. See explain, -tory 1
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.
While at the Tribune, Heather was part of a team that won the 2015 Gerald Loeb Award for explanatory reporting for a series on Chicago’s municipal debt.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
In fact, changes in expected inflation — either at the 12-month or 10-year horizons—have had even less explanatory power than changes in the CPI’s annual rate.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026
"We propose three explanatory hypotheses for discussion," says Güllich.
From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025
A statement from the committee that includes the bill's explanatory note says "its purpose is to cut off terrorism at its root and create a heavy deterrent."
From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025
A laundry list of at least 14 explanatory factors has been proposed by historians of technology.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
