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
When Emma tries to explain herself the day after the confession, she admits, “I liked the aesthetics of it.”
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
These findings provide new insight into age-related inflammation and help explain why something as simple as a cough can sometimes lead to hospitalization in older individuals.
From Science Daily • 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
It wasn’t until we were back home that afternoon that I had a chance to sit Karl down and explain all about Lizzie, and her elephant story.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
