What does “explain” mean?
- 1
verbto make something clear or easy to understand by giving details
Can you explain how this machine works?
- 2
verbto give a reason for something that happened
He couldn’t explain why he was late.
Explain at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /ɪkˈspleɪn/ · ik-SPLAYN
How to use “explain” correctly
Say “explain it to me”, not “explain me it”. The person comes after “to”.
Common phrases with “explain”
- explain sth to sb
- explain why
- explain how
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- describe
- clarify
Word family
- explanation
- explanatory
“explain” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- discuss verbA2to talk about something with other people
- lie verbA2to be or put yourself in a flat position
- mean verbA2to have a particular meaning or to express a particular idea
- receive verbA2to get something that someone gives or sends you
- suggest verbA2to give an idea or plan for others to think about
- admit verbB1to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true or that you did something wrong
- argue verbB1to speak angrily to someone because you disagree
- article nounA2a piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine or website