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.
Others who work on the EUV machines used the Lego kits to explain to their families what they actually do.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Animal service officials were not available to explain who had adopted the animals and whether they were adopted as pets or food.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
The SLC said it would be contacting students "to explain what this means for them and what the next steps are, including their eligibility and entitlement, as well as confirming the repayment process".
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
They are also investigating whether similar mechanisms could help explain the lack of planets around binary pulsars, which are pairs of rapidly spinning neutron stars that emit regular radio pulses.
From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026
It is difficult to explain, but I felt as if I were all alone in the world, a world I used to love, and that I had come to hate.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Vocabulary lists containing explain
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
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