explain
ihk-SPLAYN
Explain (verb) means to make something clear or easier to understand. Example: “Could you explain what this word means? I have never seen it before.”
verb
1
To make something clear or easier to understand.
"Could you explain what this word means? I have never seen it before."
"Can you explain how this machine works?"
"The teacher explained the math problem step by step."
2
To give the reason or cause for something.
"Heavy traffic on the motorway explains why she arrived so late."
"Nothing could explain the strange noise coming from the attic last night."
"He explained his absence by saying he'd been ill."
How to use explain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something understandable, or to give a reason for something.
Common pairings
explain a concept
explain why
hard to explain
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- explains
- Past tense
- explained
Fill the gap
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Could you _____ what this word means? I have never seen it before.
Etymology
From Latin explanare, "to flatten, make level, make clear," from ex- ("out") + planare ("to flatten") — related to "plain" and "plane."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for explain
See all rhymes for explain →Frequently asked questions
What does “explain” mean?
The word “explain” means to make something clear or easier to understand. In plain terms, to make something understandable, or to give a reason for something.
How do you pronounce “explain”?
“Explain” is pronounced ihk-SPLAYN (/ɪkˈspleɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “explain” in a sentence?
Here is “explain” used in a sentence: “Can you explain how this machine works?”
What is another word for “explain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “explain” include absolve, clarify, describe, direct, disclose and illustrate.
What is the opposite of “explain”?
The opposite of “explain” — its antonyms — is obscure.
What part of speech is “explain”?
“Explain” is a verb.
Where does the word “explain” come from?
The word “explain” comes from Latin. From Latin explanare, "to flatten, make level, make clear," from ex- ("out") + planare ("to flatten") — related to "plain" and "plane.".
Is “explain” a common word?
“Explain” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between explain and describe?
To describe something is to give its details — what it looks like, sounds like, or consists of. To explain goes further, making it understandable by giving reasons, causes, or how it works. You might describe a machine's shape and colour, then explain how it actually runs and why.
What is the difference between explain and clarify?
Explaining sets something out to make it understood, often for the first time. Clarifying removes confusion from something already said, making a muddy or ambiguous point clearer. You explain a new idea, but you clarify a remark that was misunderstood. Clarifying assumes an earlier attempt that now needs sharpening.
What does it mean to explain yourself?
To 'explain yourself' means to give the reasons for your behaviour, especially when it has been questioned or seems wrong. A teacher might ask a pupil to explain themselves after a disruption. It is a request to make one's actions understandable and, often, to justify them.
What is an example of explain?
You might say, 'Let me explain how the booking system works,' or 'She explained why the meeting was moved.' In both cases the aim is to make something — a process or a reason — clear and easier for the listener to understand.
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