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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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   We use the verb explain to mean ‘make something clear or easy to understand, by describing or giving information about it’. … Phrasal verb explain something away

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › explain

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   The meaning of EXPLAIN is to make known. How to use explain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Explain.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › explain

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   To explain something is to make it plain or clear, or to render it understandable or intelligible. How does explain compare to synonyms elucidate, expound, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

5. 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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   explain. [transitive, intransitive] to tell somebody about something in a way that makes it easy to understand. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   To explain is to make plain, clear, or intelligible something that is not known or understood: to explain a theory or a problem. To elucidate is to throw light on what before was dark and obscure, usually by illustration and commentary and sometimes by elaborate explanation: They asked him to elucidate his statement.

8. 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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   Definition of explain verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

    www.thefreedictionary.com › explain

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    a. To offer reasons for or a cause of; justify: explain an error. b. To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself). v.intr. To make something plain or comprehensible: Let me explain. Phrasal Verb: explain away.

11. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › explainexplain | meaning of explain in Longman Dictionary of...

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › explain

    • Cached

    explain meaning, definition, what is explain: to tell someone about something in a way...: Learn more.