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.
See Examples For:
That answer might explain why Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy,” to be performed by Jonathan Carney with the Baltimore Symphony in three concerts from Oct.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Alexandrou said Foster was held in custody for eight days immediately after the incident and had to call his daughter from custody to explain what had happened.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Come to think of it, a two-hour briefing on just that subject wouldn’t have been enough to explain that insanity.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026
One of the biggest mysteries the researchers wanted to explain was why black holes do not always launch jets at the same time.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
We’d promised each other that we’d be together when we opened the emails, but she still won’t talk to me, even though I’ve sent her about forty-seven hundred messages apologizing and trying to explain.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Rodriguez explains that, in many ways, the aftermath of the hurricane sparked arguments on both sides that were necessary to begin healing the tension.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
This sleight of hand, Mr. Silvertown explains, was first performed by aquatic bacteria more than three billion years ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
"The plastisphere is a new habitat in our environment," explains Schleheck.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Hayes explains that this as a result of investors now finding value in bonds.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
“You can bike or swim to keep your fitness level up,” he explains.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
"It was explained to me about the exercise, and the analysis that has been done across the club, and with the intention always to evolve, to improve," said the Spaniard.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
"You have to sort of understand that structure in order to do it successfully. And it's just not what we do. It's not the way our brains think about stories," Joel explained.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
“Move the patients around, keep the hospital moving,” he explained.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
The Aerosmith frontman explained that the city’s passion for his favorite industry pulled him in.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
I’m about to explain it again, the way the doctor explained it to me, but Jen returns with our drinks, so I let it go.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
"I don't think it's for me to say whether he should or not," said Carrick, when asked if Wilcox should be the one explaining his actions to the media.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The man who has made a career out of baffling other people seems genuinely baffled himself, reduced to explaining the word “can” to the founder of Theranos.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
In 2018, he described his Maui lifestyle as “an isolated life” while explaining that he enjoyed spending time alone.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
"Those friends are gone," Tejeda told AFP, explaining that many now live in Miami, Madrid or elsewhere.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
“Fischer had a gun to our heads,” he later said, explaining the abrupt termination of one of the most important American chess matches ever played.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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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