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.
That may help explain how we wound up with “Alice in Wonderland”-style competing proclamations that made it sound as if Xi and Trump had been in different conversations, or perhaps different universes.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
When I explain the situation to other Eurovision contestants in Vienna, they're shocked.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
Such consistency is extremely rare in earthquake science, and researchers have long struggled to explain how the pattern could continue so reliably.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
This might explain why Vargas can’t always remember how to refer to his manager.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
I don’t know how to explain, though, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell Jonah.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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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