explain

verb

(transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

(transitive) To give the reason for, justification for, or cause of.

(intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.

(obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.

(obsolete) To unfold or make visible.

Roots

planus-plain · Latin · flat, level

Synonyms for explain

explicatev elucidatev euhemerizev clarifyv expoundv describev illustratev excusen interpretv justifyv definev delineatev

Synonyms & related words for explain

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of explain — including explicate, elucidate, euhemerize, clarify, expound, describe. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to explain

Explore words related to explain — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include elucidator, elucidatory, explanation, explicatory, reexplain, understand, explicator, explicative. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for explain

Common synonyms for explain include explicate, elucidate, euhemerize, clarify, expound, describe, illustrate, excuse — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does explain come from?

The word explain breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -plain, from Latin planus (“flat, level”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.