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1. Dictionary

   explain

   /ɪkˈspleɪn/

   verb

   • 1. make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts: "they explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals" Similar describegive an explanation ofmake clear/plain/intelligiblespell output into wordsexpress in wordselucidateexpoundexplicatedelineateclarifyunfoldthrow light onclear upsimplifyglossinterpretdecipherdecodetranslatedemonstrateshowteachillustrateunraveluntangleresolvesolveinformal:get acrossget overOpposite obscure
   • ▪ give a reason so as to justify or excuse (an action or event): "Cassie found it necessary to explain her blackened eye" Similar account forgive an explanation forgive a reason forjustifygive a justification forgive an excuse/alibi/apologia formake excuses forexplain awayrationalizegive a rationale fordefendvindicatelegitimizemitigaterare:extenuate
   • ▪ be the cause of or motivating factor for: "her father's violence explains her pacifism"
   • ▪ minimize the significance of an embarrassing fact or action by giving an excuse or justification: "they know stories about me that I can't explain away"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus ‘plain’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. explainable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • E

     1

   • X

     8

   • P

     3

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishEXPLAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   EXPLAIN definition: 1. to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it: 2…. Learn more.

3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishexplain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   explain (something) He was trying to explain the difference between hip hop and rap. First, I'll explain the rules of the game. The theory is not explained in detail. ‘Let me explain!’ he added helpfully. explain (something) to somebody It was difficult to explain the concept to beginners. explain that…

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › explainExplain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › explain

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   explain: [verb] to make known. to make plain or understandable.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › explainEXPLAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › explain

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   Explain definition: to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible. See examples of EXPLAIN used in a sentence.

6. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › explainEXPLAIN Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › explain

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   Synonyms for EXPLAIN: clarify, illustrate, demonstrate, simplify, interpret, illuminate, elucidate, explicate; Antonyms of EXPLAIN: obscure, confuse, cloud, confound ...

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishexplain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   2 [intransitive, transitive] to give a reason, or be a reason, for something She tried to explain but he wouldn't listen. explain that… Alex explained that his car had broken down. explain why, how, etc… Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't call. explain something (to somebody) scientific findings that help explain the origins of the universe The government now has to explain its decision to the public. (informal) Oh well then, that explains it (= I understand now why something ...

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishEXPLAIN | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   EXPLAIN definition: 1. to make something clear or easy to understand by giving reasons for it or details about it: 2…. Learn more.

9. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishEXPLAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Jul 24, 2016 · 2 meanings: 1. to make (something) comprehensible, esp by giving a clear and detailed account of the relevant structure,.... Click for more definitions.

10. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › explainExplain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

    www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › explain

    To explain something is to define it, show how it works, or just tell what it is. Explaining helps people understand.

11. www.thefreedictionary.com › explainExplain - definition of explain by The Free Dictionary

    www.thefreedictionary.com › explain

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    explain: verb account for , annotate , assign a meaning to , cause to be understood , clarify , clear of obscurity , decipher , define , demonstrate , describe ...