explain

explain
ex|plain [ ık`spleın ] verb ***
1. ) transitive to tell someone something in a way that helps them understand it better:
My full name is Juliet Avery, Juliet explained patiently.
explain something to someone: The doctor explained the risks to me before the operation.
explain how/when/what etc.: I will try to explain how a car engine works.
explain (that): He explained that he would be moving to another city.
a ) used about a book or picture:
This manual explains how to use your computer.
a leaflet that explains who can claim welfare
2. ) transitive to give a reason for something that happens, especially when this is not easy to understand:
Science cannot explain everything.
It's difficult to explain the popularity of this new toy.
The phenomenon can be explained in various ways.
a ) transitive to be the reason for something:
explain why/what etc.: Tom is in the hospital. That explains why he wasn't in school today.
b ) intransitive or transitive used when you want someone to understand and forgive you:
I can explain everything.
Wait! Let me explain!
explain yourself
1. ) to tell someone who is angry with you why you did something:
You have ten seconds to explain yourself!
2. ) to tell someone what you mean in a clear way that they can easily understand:
You'll have to explain yourself more clearly.
ex,plain a`way phrasal verb transitive
to tell someone about something in a way that makes them think it is unimportant, so that they do not ask questions about it:
She made up stories to explain away the missing money.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • explain — 1 Explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret, construe are comparable when they mean to make oneself or another understand the meaning of something. Explain, the most general term, implies a making of something plain or intelligible to… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Explain — Ex*plain ([e^]ks*pl[=a]n ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Explained}([e^]ks*pl[=a]nd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Explaining}.] [L. explandare to flatten, spread out, explain; ex out + plandare to make level or plain, planus plain: cf. OF. esplaner, explaner. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • explain — [ek splān′, iksplān′] vt. [ME explanen < L explanare, to flatten < ex , out + planare, to make level < planus, level (see PLANE2): sp. infl. by PLAIN1] 1. to make clear, plain, or understandable 2. to give the meaning or interpretation… …   English World dictionary

  • explain — (v.) early 15c., from L. explanare to make level, smooth out; also to explain, make clear (see EXPLANATION (Cf. explanation)). Originally explane, spelling altered by influence of plain. In 17c., occasionally used more literally, of the unfolding …   Etymology dictionary

  • explain — ► VERB 1) make clear by giving a detailed description. 2) give a reason or justification for. 3) (explain oneself) excuse or justify one s motives or conduct. 4) (explain away) minimize the significance of (something awkward) by giving an excuse… …   English terms dictionary

  • Explain — Ex*plain , v. i. To give an explanation. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • explain — I verb account for, annotate, assign a meaning to, cause to be understood, clarify, clear of obscurity, clear up, decipher, define, demonstrate, describe, disentangle, elucidate, enlighten, enucleate, exemplify, expedire, explanare, explicate,… …   Law dictionary

  • explain — [v] make clear; give a reason for account for, analyze, annotate, break down, bring out, clarify, clear up, construe, decipher, define, demonstrate, describe, diagram, disclose, elucidate, excuse, explicate, expound, get across*, go into detail,… …   New thesaurus

  • explain — ex|plain W1S1 [ıkˈspleın] v [I and T] [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: explanare to make level, unfold , from planus level, flat ] 1.) to tell someone about something in a way that is clear or easy to understand ▪ Our lawyer carefully explained …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • explain */*/*/ — UK [ɪkˈspleɪn] / US verb Word forms explain : present tense I/you/we/they explain he/she/it explains present participle explaining past tense explained past participle explained 1) a) [transitive] to tell someone something in a way that helps… …   English dictionary

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