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:
In the ocean, it helps explain how ripples become giant, powerful waves.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Rather than explain how a leaner fish or one packed in oil might change the cake, the recipe simply expands to encompass nearly anything.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
Every day, specialists are working on models aiming to explain solar activity, allowing them "to put the Sun back into context within its evolutionary timeline, from its birth to its death," he added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
Taiwan's geography helps explain why trees of this size can grow there.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 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
Before much cooking can occur, however, Gruel explains that many Americans are addicted to processed foods because those foods have been chemically engineered to be addictive.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
The problem comes if you go straight from wearing a very structured shoe to wearing flip-flops a lot, she explains.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The process was simple, the producer explains: “We’d start in Sue’s kitchen with coffee at 10 in the morning —”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
This probably has more to do with how analysts modeled the timing of effects of Medicare payment adjustments, which also explains why Fresenius Medical Care reiterated 2026 guidance, according to JPM.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
“My job,” Mom says to me, as if that explains everything.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
"I love working in the transfer market. It's not a pressure, it's one of the nicest parts in my work, in my job," he explained.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Green explained that because the eclipse will occur just before sunset, particles from the fires could create a more "hazy" or "fuzzy" view.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
As she explained her rationale, Halem, who appeared in court in an orange jumpsuit, sat with his head bowed, eyes downcast.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
That’s because it can be explained by saying that only the very front of the long-duration pulse makes it straight through the atomic cloud, while the rest is scattered.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
“Not a gambling kind of bet,” I explained.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
"The company or individual would have to be at least reckless," he said, explaining they would "be substantially certain the crime would occur and build or prompt the system anyway."
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
If that trend continues, the Fed could get away with not raising rates in September, they said, especially if Warsh can do a better job explaining the rate-setting committee’s thinking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
"I suppose you've got to be a bit nerdy," he says, explaining he takes a magnifying glass with him diving.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Dallas Fed President Logan mentioned this in a statement explaining her dissent.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
The trees at the jungle’s edge bend in the exact easterly direction of the wind, explaining their curved trunks.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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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