explain

Meaning

1. (transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
2. (transitive) To give the reason for, justification for, or cause of.
3. (obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
4. (obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
5. (intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.

Synonyms

clarify

interpret

elucidate

expound

make clear

illustrate

tell

describe

teach

explicate

show

account for

define

construe

translate

illuminate

justify

demonstrate

solve

account

narrate

clear up

clear

declare

inform

make understand

preach

unfold

express

exemplify

excuse

resolve

relate

reveal

reason

instruct

comment on

speak

🗣️

vindicate

explanation

enlighten

release

report

rede

analyse

rationalize

read

📖

confess

persuade

prove

Translations

expliquer

erklären

spiegare

explicar

uitleggen

explicar

verklaren

erläutern

aclarar

εξηγώ

explicar

chiarire

darlegen

esporre

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪkˈspleɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: explanen

In summary

From Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explanō (“I flatten, spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + planō (“I flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane. Compare esplanade, splanade. Displaced Old English reċċan.

Sentences

Why the shots stopped after the tenth , no one on earth has tried to explain .

" That , I think , is for you to explain ," said Mrs M . stiffly .