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:
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
This could help explain its prevalence in Risaralda, Chocó and Valle del Cauca, neighbouring departments that either are home to, or border, large Afro-Colombian populations.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Taiwan's geography helps explain why trees of this size can grow there.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
The smaller the minimum, the less likely you are to buy six unrelated ingredients in the hope that abundance will eventually explain itself.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
“Professor Callaway will explain, since this is his area of expertise.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Starting a book club felt like a natural progression for Jeselnik’s decadelong career, he explains.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Gruel explains that resting allows the panko to absorb moisture, though he does not say how long that takes.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 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
The BBC's Samira Hussain explains what it is and whether it's legal.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The sign explains that the Unremarkables had their memories wiped after they left here.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
“If you put all those ferns in, it might give the impression that people didn’t have very much taste,” explained “The Shards” production designer Cat Smith.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Campbell explained that second-generation Irish identity is often misunderstood, with artistic expressions of that heritage frequently provoking mixed reactions.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
During normal times when there is no eclipse, scientists study the Sun's atmosphere with satellites equipped with a coronagraph -- "a filter that blocks out the photosphere", Brun explained.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
Our experiment is fully explained by standard physics.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
"Well," Dr. Krupnik explained, "I can't call her Mommy because she's not my mother. My mother was named Ruth."
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
"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
He often cribbed from a motivational text called “Lessons from Geese” when talking about Wawa, explaining: “Why do geese fly in a ‘V’?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Dallas Fed President Logan mentioned this in a statement explaining her dissent.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
The term refers to the difficulty of explaining how electrical and chemical activity in the brain gives rise to subjective experience, including sensations, emotions, thoughts, and the personal feeling of being alive.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
Washington also rejected this request, explaining that Andre, regardless of his personal attractiveness, was no more and no less than a spy.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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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