explain

verb

ex·​plain ik-ˈsplān 

explained; explaining; explains

transitive verb

1

a

: to make known

explain the secret of your success

b

: to make plain or understandable

footnotes that explain the terms

2

: to give the reason for or cause of

unable to explain his strange conduct

3

: 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

Synonyms

• clarify
• clear (up)
• construe
• demonstrate
• demystify
• elucidate
• explicate
• expound
• get across
• illuminate
• illustrate
• interpret
• simplify
• spell out
• unriddle

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

A lot of that can be explained by the unique aspects of our health care system. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

Not only do the stores help educators, Klein explained that the stores eliminate waste. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 15 Dec. 2024

The star explained that exercising routinely was necessary because her body had to be conditioned for the flying stunts. —Latoya Gayle, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

This may explain the presence of the porcelain bowl fragment found on Mount Zion. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English explanen, from Latin explanare, literally, to make level, from ex- + planus level, flat — more at floor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing explain

• explain away
• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)

Kids Definition

explain

verb

ex·​plain ik-ˈsplān 

1

: to make plain or understandable

2

: to give the reason for or cause of

explainable

-ˈsplā-nə-bəl 

adjective

explainer noun