verb

explicate

EKS-pli-kayt

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Explicate (verb) means Explain something in detail, drawing out its meaning and implications point by point. Example: “The essay explicates the poem's central image line by line.”

verb

formal Explain something in detail, drawing out its meaning and implications point by point.

"The essay explicates the poem's central image line by line."

"She spent an hour explicating the clause for the committee."

formal Analyse a text closely, setting out what each part does and how the whole works.

"Students are asked to explicate a sonnet of their choosing."

How to use explicate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo explain something fully, piece by piece.

When to use it

Formal and academic; in ordinary speech 'explain' or 'unpack' does the job.

Memory tip

The noun is explication, not 'explicature'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

explain → explicit → implicate →

Common pairings

explicate a text explicate the meaning explicate the theory

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “explicate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The essay _____ the poem's central image line by line.

Etymology

From Latin explicare 'to unfold, unroll', from ex- 'out' and plicare 'to fold'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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expound elucidate unpack interpret spell out analyse parse close-read formulate develop explain

Antonyms

obscure confuse

Related words

clear create train analysis explain grow rise produce

Rhymes for explicate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state create update locate

See all rhymes for explicate →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between explicate and explain?

Explaining is making something understood by any means, including simplifying it. Explicating is unfolding what is already there — going through a text, argument or idea part by part to show its structure and hidden implications. Explication is the scholarly cousin of explanation.

Is explicate the same as explicit?

No, though both come from the same Latin root about unfolding. Explicit is an adjective meaning stated openly and precisely; explicate is a verb meaning to set out in detail. You explicate something in order to make it explicit.

What is the meaning of explicate?

"explicate" (verb) means explain something in detail, drawing out its meaning and implications point by point.

What is another word for explicate?

Other words for "explicate" include expound, elucidate, unpack, interpret, spell out, formulate.

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