Definition

1. 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

1. 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
2. define
   • The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean
3. make plain and comprehensible
   • He explained the laws of physics to his students