to explain

Examples

• All

• I will explain everything, please just listen to me.

  Werewolf Cabal (2022)

• Did you really try to explain to them how you felt?

• Whoa, whoa, doc, can you explain that in English please?

• Can you please help explain how this would ever work?

  StarTalk

• You know, you need to explain what your art means, right?

• Can you explain that to me, please?

  Back to Black (2024)

• The student is able to explain what they are doing in the picture.

  Academic text (2011)

• Any number of reasons may explain why teachers are not using the appropriate practices.

  Academic text (2011)

• One is a set of interpretive panels that explain the significance of the site.

  Academic text (2011)

• The teacher took the time to explain the complex concept in a way everyone could understand.

Synonyms

D

to describe

vsto explain

∞ 1.0

To use words to show what a person or thing is like

is aimed at making things easy to understand, not only giving an account

I

to interpret

vsto explain

386 3.3

To explain what something means

is the general act of making clear rather than evaluating or assigning meaning

I

to illustrate

vsto explain

301 3.5

To explain something using pictures or examples

is broader, not tied to using examples or visual aids

C

to clarify

vsto explain

248 3.3

To make something clear so others can understand it

is broader, covering any way of making something understandable not only removing ambiguity

L

to lay out

vsto explain

207 3.2

To explain something clearly and in detail

is the broader act of making understandable, not only arranging information

C

to clear up

vsto explain

172 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

is the overall act of making things understandable rather than resolving confusion specifically

D

to detail

vsto explain

105 3.1

To describe something by giving many small facts

is more general and aims for clarity rather than listing every fact

S

to spell out

vsto explain

79 3.5

To explain something clearly and in detail

is general clarification, not necessarily spelling out every detail

E

to elaborate

vsto explain

79 4.2

To give more details or explain something more fully

focuses on making something clear, not primarily on adding extra detail

I

to illuminate

vsto explain

51 4.8

To make something clear or easier to understand

is neutral and general rather than focusing on highlighting key points

S

to shed light on

vsto explain

26 3.9

To help people understand something by explaining it

is the general process of making things understandable, not only by providing new information

E

to expound

vsto explain

• Formal

20 7.3

Explain something in detail so people understand it

is the general act of making clear without requiring thorough presentation

G

to go into detail

vsto explain

14 3.4

To explain something carefully and include all important points

is used more generally and may not require thorough, extensive detail

P

to provide insight into

vsto explain

12 3.9

Help people understand a topic more clearly

is the general act of making things understandable, not focused on insight offering

E

to elucidate

vsto explain

• Formal

11 6.8

To explain something so it is easy to understand

is the general act of making things understandable rather than precise wording

D

to demystify

vsto explain

7 5.1

To make something easier to understand by removing mystery or confusion

is overall making things clear, not focused only on removing mystery

C

to contextualize

vsto explain

7 6.3

To put information into its background so people understand it better

is general clarification, not specifically about providing background or context

D

to delineate

vsto explain

• Formal

5 6.8

To describe something clearly and in detail

is broader, not always focused on precise or bounded description

E

to explicate

vsto explain

• Formal

3 7.4

To explain something clearly in detail

is simpler and not necessarily focused on lengthy, detailed presentation

I

to illuminate the issue

vsto explain

1 4.9

To help people understand a topic by explaining it clearly

is general clarification across contexts rather than focusing on a single issue

E

to exposit

vsto explain

• Formal

8.6

To explain an idea or meaning in detail

is everyday making clear rather than formal scholarly exposition

R

to re-explain

vsto explain

3.4

Say something again in a clearer way

is the general first act of making something understandable rather than repeating it

E

to elucidate someone's reasoning

vsto explain

• Formal

7.6

To explain a person's thinking and say why they think that way

is broader clarification, not limited to showing another's internal reasoning

Antonyms

C

to confuse

266 1.9

Make someone unable to think clearly or make something hard to understand

O

to obscure

86 7.0

Make something hard to see or understand

How Clear

to clarify

248 3.3

to explain

∞ 1.0

to elaborate

79 4.2

to describe

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology