explain
Usage
What are other ways to say explain?
To explain is to make plain, clear, or intelligible something that is not known or understood: to explain a theory or a problem. To elucidate is to throw light on what before was dark and obscure, usually by illustration and commentary and sometimes by elaborate explanation: They asked him to elucidate his statement. To expound is to give a methodical, detailed, scholarly explanation of something, usually Scriptures, doctrines, or philosophy: to expound the doctrine of free will. To interpret is to give the meaning of something by paraphrase, by translation, or by an explanation based on personal opinion: to interpret a poem or a symbol.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Which may explain the newest addition to the slop lexicon: PE, or private-equity, slop.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
Humans have adapted to associate sound with movement in vehicles, experts explain.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
Researchers at the University of East Anglia and Oxford BioDynamics have identified a possible biological connection that could help explain why profound exhaustion appears across conditions as different as long Covid and PTSD.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
That may explain why he and his ensemble can still rehearse in the Concert Hall, even if their performances must now take place elsewhere.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
I try to explain it again, so she understands better.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
That also explains why stocks were holding their ground despite the leg higher in Treasury yields, Mulberry told MarketWatch via phone on Friday.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
Mr. Wigglesworth, a columnist and editor at the Financial Times, ably explains the rudiments of fixed-income securities and some of the finer points, too.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
“That was unintended,” he replies, only digging himself in deeper when he explains that, like plumbers or electricians, he was there to do a job.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026
BBC correspondent Daniel Sandford explains how the incident unfolded and the new information that has been released.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
“It wasn’t just my buttocks. It went through to my leg,” he explains.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
The researchers conducted a series of control experiments to determine whether the effect could be explained by more conventional changes to the material.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 3, 2026
In a teaser video released on social media, Star and Lewis explained how the song came to light.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Myra P. Saefong explained how we all pay when diesel prices rise.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
The upward move of the last couple of weeks, however, can’t entirely be explained by this.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
So we explained our problem to Aunt Melissa.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten — who had authority to pursue criminal charges — cited New York’s voluntary intoxication law in explaining why he initially did not do so.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
He said he and his flatmates were "shocked" when they received a letter explaining their Firmus energy bills would be rising by 12.5%.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
A week after the Facebook page was shuttered, she said she remained undecided about vaccinating her children, explaining that she and her husband worried about possible side effects.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Fed’s independent inspector general, Michael Horowitz, this week published a report explaining what actually happened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Eisman was now explaining why the world was going to blow up, but his partners were only half-listening…because the financial world was blowing up.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Vocabulary lists containing explain
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
