explain
/iks'plein/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it: The core meaning is to provide details, reasons, or context so that a concept, situation, or instruction becomes comprehensible.
- To give a reason for or cause of something: To account for an action, event, or circumstance by stating its rationale or justification.
- To define or elaborate on a plan, idea, or set of rules: To outline the details and workings of something systematically.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- Could you explain how this machine works? (Could you make the operation of this machine clear?)
- The teacher explained the grammar rule with several examples. (The teacher made the grammar rule comprehensible.)
- She tried to explain her absence from the meeting. (She tried to give a reason for why she was not at the meeting.)
- The manual explains the safety procedures in detail. (The manual describes the safety procedures to make them understandable.)
Advanced Usage
"to explain oneself": to give reasons for one's actions or statements, especially when they are being questioned or criticized.
- After the misunderstanding, he had to explain himself to his boss. (He had to give his reasons and account for his actions.)
"to explain away": to try to minimize the significance of a problem or fault by giving an excuse or explanation that is intended to be satisfactory.
- He tried to explain away the error as a simple typo. (He attempted to dismiss the error by calling it just a typing mistake.)
Variants and Related Words
- Explanation (n): A statement or account that makes something clear.
- She gave a detailed explanation of the process.
- Explanatory (adj): Intended to explain something.
- The diagram includes explanatory notes.
- Inexplicable (adj): Unable to be explained or accounted for.
- His sudden departure was inexplicable.
Synonyms
- Clarify: To make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible.
- Elucidate: To explain something in a way that makes it clear and easy to understand, often used in more formal or academic contexts.
- Interpret: To explain the meaning of information, words, or actions.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Explain away: (See definition in 'Advanced Usage' section).
- It's a serious issue; you can't just explain it away.
Related Idioms
- Explain the ins and outs: To explain all the detailed aspects and complexities of something.
- Before you start, let me explain the ins and outs of the project.
Verb
- serve as a reason or cause or justification of
- Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
- Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again
- define
- The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean
- make plain and comprehensible
- He explained the laws of physics to his students