explain

verb

ex·plain ik-ˈsplān

explained; explaining; explains

Synonyms of explain next

transitive verb

: to make known

explain the secret of your success

: to make plain or understandable

footnotes that explain the terms

: to give the reason for or cause of

unable to explain his strange conduct

: to show the logical development or relationships of

explained the new theory

intransitive verb

: to make something plain or understandable

a report that suggests rather than explains

explainable

ik-ˈsplā-nə-bəl

adjective

Phrases

explain oneself

: to clarify one's statements or the reasons for one's conduct

Choose the Right Synonym for explain

explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret mean to make something clear or understandable.

explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Examples of explain in a Sentence

I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me. The professor explained the poem to the class. She explained how the machine worked. I explained to them that I would be available by phone. Scientists could not explain the strange lights in the sky. I don't know how to explain the dog's strange behavior. We asked him to explain his reasons to us. Can you explain why no one was informed earlier? That explains why we were so far behind schedule. Give me a chance to explain.

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

For any that haven’t reached green, clicking the segment reveals exactly why and, in most cases, explains how to get a better score. —

PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 Abramovitch explained how Swift could have been an exception to this rule because her career in both country and pop music gives her fans on both sides of the American political divide. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Elena Ferrante explains that the earthquake was an exterior thing. —

Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 Quigley explained that tornado activity is most likely between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in southwestern Wisconsin, noon and 4 p.m. in the Madison area, and 2 and 6 p.m. in communities along Lake Michigan including Milwaukee. —

Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for explain