explanatory

adjective

ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ik-ˈspla-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce explanatory (audio)
Synonyms of explanatorynext
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
explanatorily adverb

Examples of explanatory in a Sentence

There are explanatory notes at the front of the book. the explanatory section has as its heading “What the New Tax Changes Mean”
Recent Examples on the Web
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The San Francisco Chronicle received the award for explanatory reporting, which means work that makes a complex topic comprehensible to everyday readers and viewers. Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026 The award for explanatory reporting went to the San Francisco Chronicle for coverage that showed how insurance companies use algorithms to systematically undervalue properties. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 May 2026 ProPublica received Pulitzers for public service in 2025, public service in 2024, national reporting in 2020, feature writing in 2019, public service in 2017, explanatory reporting in 2016, national reporting in 2011 and investigative reporting in 2010. ProPublica, 4 May 2026 Even so, finding more explanatory mechanisms hasn’t been top of mind for neuroscientists. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanatory

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of explanatory was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanatory. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

explanatory

adjective
ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce explanatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
explanatorily adverb

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