explain
to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible: to explain an obscure point.
to make known in detail: to explain how to do something.
to assign a meaning to; interpret: How can you explain such a silly remark?
to make clear the cause or reason of; account for: I cannot explain his strange behavior.
to give an explanation.
explain away,
to diminish or nullify the significance of by explanation: He couldn't explain away his absence from home at the time the robbery was committed.
to dispel (doubts, difficulties, etc.) by explanation: She explained away the child's fears.
Origin of explain
1Other words for explain
Opposites for explain
Other words from explain
- ex·plain·a·ble, adjective
- ex·plain·er, ex·pla·na·tor [ek-spluh-ney-ter], /ˈɛk spləˌneɪ tər/, noun
- mis·ex·plained, adjective
- non·ex·plain·a·ble, adjective
- o·ver·ex·plain, verb
- pre·ex·plain, verb
- re·ex·plain, verb (used with object)
- un·ex·plain·a·ble, adjective
- un·ex·plain·a·bly, adverb
- un·ex·plained, adjective
- un·ex·plain·ing, adjective
- well-ex·plained, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use explain in a sentence
Lily Allen explained away the poor sales and ho-hum critical reception to Sheezus by…basically blaming other people.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More | Kevin Fallon | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEven the teddy bear incident could be explained away somehow.
But the “Stand and Fight” ad cannot be explained away as mere incompetence.
The NRA’s Shameful Day: Shooting App for Kids, ‘Stand and Fight’ Ad | John Avlon | January 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBut nobody ever found him and federal officials ultimately explained away the eyewitness reports as unreliable or confused.
Oklahoma City Bombing’s Unanswered Questions in New Book | Michael Isikoff | April 18, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd while any individual ruling can always be justified or explained away, a larger truth emerges ineluctably from the whole.
Impeach the Supreme Court Justices If They Overturn Health-Care Law | David R. Dow | April 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Various seeming difficulties have been explained away, and it is quite possible that all may disappear as investigation widens.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles MorrisNor can they be wholly explained away by saying that they are in part fun and in part indirect flattery of his correspondent.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician | Frederick NiecksThis might be explained away on the ground that the intermediary colors are blends of the extreme colors.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 | Plotinos (Plotinus)The council of perfection is that the law should be obeyed till such time as it can be repealed or explained away.
Humanly Speaking | Samuel McChord CrothersClean looking, athletic, and the son of a Judson—he would not have to be explained away or apologized for.
Mountain | Clement Wood
British Dictionary definitions for explain
/ (ɪkˈspleɪn) /
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to make (something) comprehensible, esp by giving a clear and detailed account of the relevant structure, operation, surrounding circumstances, etc
(tr) to justify or attempt to justify (oneself) by giving reasons for one's actions or words
Origin of explain
1Derived forms of explain
- explainable, adjective
- explainer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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