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:
The framework has been around for a long time but, in the past decade or so, economists have been using it to explain personal-finance behaviors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Instead, locals are fielding endless questions about their MP - and having to explain to strangers what it all means for the town's nearly 30,000 people.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
The researchers have not yet determined what biological processes might explain this difference.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
“I was dancing around it, and then I was like, ‘I don’t need to explain every little part of it,’” she says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Together Mr. Smit and I attempted to explain, but Father simply could not understand a person’s being called by a name not his own.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
"Using this method, we have directly converted red blood cell precursors into neural stem cells," explains Prof. Dr. Oliver Brüstle, director of the Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology at the University Hospital of Bonn.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
“I was listening to Kraftwerk and there’s a certain attitude when people are on an escalator,” he explains.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
Slate music critic and Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy explains what is going on.
From Slate ● Oct. 20, 2026
From the port city in southern France, the BBC's Nick Beake explains some of the factors behind the protests.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
“They used to light fires here,” Titus explains, “to signal to the heiau in the Wailua district on Kaua‘i.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
If the paper tears, he has to discard the lot, which is why you have to "be very delicate," the 34-year-old artisan explained.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
That was far below the general recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, Sciamanna explained.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
He found her and explained that John was in bad shape.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Alias explained how liability for the fine could be shifted to somebody outside the UK, if that person could be named as owner of the business.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
He explained that none of the Fox sisters knew where the sounds came from.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
The Duke of Sussex spoke about the move in an interview with GQ’s Zach Baron, explaining that he and the duchess of Sussex returned to Britain for “opportunities for the family.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
And he warned: "Predicting an outcome is not the same as explaining it."
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
The movie ends with a title card explaining how, after the 1953 expedition, Norgay never felt the need to summit Everest again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Vance pleaded unfamiliarity, explaining that “sometimes information doesn’t filter up to me.”
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
Professor Brown began explaining the logistics of the test, and we turned our attention back to her.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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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