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.
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
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
The decision to jettison the report’s traditional explanatory narrative was announced to EIA staff in a March 10 internal email, after the document was largely complete following months of work.
From Salon
We need to start by examining a combination of explanatory factors.
From Salon
I was amused at what I had underlined as an overeager student, always on the lookout for the explanatory phrase.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
