'splain

or splain

[ spleyn ]

verb (used with or without object)Informal.
  1. a shortened form of explain.

Origin of 'splain

1
By shortening and alteration of explain

Other definitions for -splain (2 of 2)

-splain

  1. a combining form extracted from mansplain and meaning “to explain or comment on something in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner, from the perspective of the group one identifies with,” as in ladysplain; whitesplain:racism being whitesplained to a person of color.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use 'splain in a sentence

  • "I'll 'splain ever'thing as soon as we get to your rooms," promised Dorothy.

    The Emerald City of Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • They isnt enough words in langwitch, says he, t splain things.

    Every Man for Himself | Norman Duncan
  • And I drap in, major, ter 'splain ter you dat I'se gwine ter gently draw outen politics, yassah.

    The Sins of the Father | Thomas Dixon
  • Yes, but I don't know that anybody kin 'splain your daughter allus being with Mr. Thomas, who ain't even divo'ced from his wife.

    The Sport of the Gods | Paul Laurence Dunbar
  • Oh, Mr. Raynor, I do hope an' pray he see fit to give you a chanc't to 'splain 'way the diffe'nces!

    J. Poindexter, Colored | Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb