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.
“When I explain why to people, they’re happy to pay what I ask them,” Flores said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
"Can we find mechanisms to explain the findings and signatures that might help predict patients who will respond to the diet?"
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
While that may help explain its long-term outperformance, it’s worth noting the fund has managed to beat most of its category rivals without adding much risk.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Suddenly he was asking his father, a former Microsoft engineer, to explain obscure Windows file formats.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
“And that’s good. I didn’t want to have to try to explain one of the greatest things in the world. Shall we?”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
