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.
Mars, by contrast, lacks active tectonics, which helps explain why its river systems are fewer and generally smaller.
From Science Daily
He explains that Taiwan Semiconductor shares have formed what’s called an “ascending triangle” pattern.
From MarketWatch
City Council called on the city’s water utility to explain why firefighters ran out of water and why a key reservoir was offline.
From Los Angeles Times
Climate scientists try to explain why global heating is so devastating and why it will get worse from here, but even they struggle to fully grasp something so complex.
From Salon
Reached on her cell Aug. 29, Kilgannon said she had no comment and hung up before O’Matz could explain what we planned to publish about her and her work.
From Salon
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
