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- pronunciation:
- ihk
spleIn
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
explains, explaining, explained |
| definition 1: |
If you explain something to someone, you tell them things about it so that they can understand.
Jamal explained to his little brother how the Earth turns to cause day and night.
- synonyms:
- show
- similar words:
- demonstrate, interpret
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| definition 2: |
When you explain something, you give a reason for it.
Paula explained why she wasn't in school in the morning. She said she had a dentist appointment.Mr. Cooper had to explain his absence from work to his boss.- synonyms:
- account for
- similar words:
- defend, justify
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| definition 3: |
When you say a thing as reason for something, you are explaining.
She wondered why he was late, and he explained that he missed the bus. |
| definition 4: |
When you explain something, like a word, a sentence, a painting, or a poem, you tell what the thing means or why it may be important.
Our teacher explained the poem to us, since none of us knew what it was about. It makes a lot more sense now.- synonyms:
- account for
- similar words:
- interpret
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| related words: |
define, excuse, illuminate, illustrate, solve |
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| derivation: |
explainable (adj.) |
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