explain

verb

ex·​plain ik-ˈsplān How to pronounce explain (audio)
explained; explaining; explains
Synonyms of explainnext

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 How to pronounce explain (audio)
adjective
Phrases
explain oneself
: to clarify one's statements or the reasons for one's conduct

Synonyms

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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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This gets at a much bigger issue: This production fails to justify or explain why this is a one-person show or what is gained by this choice. — Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025 Focus on explaining the problem your brand solves, and provide actionable solutions and clear calls to action. — Saul Marquez, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Baseball was the largest sport at Manzanar, with ten baseball and softball diamonds on the grounds and more than 120 teams divided into 12 year-round leagues, explains David Goto, the arborist at Manzanar National Historic Site. — Rachel Ng, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025 Speaking on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained what went wrong after the final restart. — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for explain

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of explain was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing explain

Rhymes for explain

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Browse Nearby Words

expiscatory
explain
explain away
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Explain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explain. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

explain

verb
ex·​plain ik-ˈsplān How to pronounce explain (audio)
1
: to make plain or understandable
2
: to give the reason for or cause of
explainable
-ˈsplā-nə-bəl How to pronounce explain (audio)
adjective
explainer noun

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