Definition

Adjective: Serving or intended to explain or make something clear. It describes something that provides reasons, causes, or context to help understanding.

Usage

The word "explanatory" is used to describe text, speech, or visual elements whose primary purpose is to clarify or justify something. It is often used before nouns.

Examples

• The textbook includes explanatory diagrams next to complex formulas.
• She added an explanatory note at the bottom of the email to avoid confusion.
• The documentary was more explanatory than entertaining; it focused on the causes of the historical event.
• The judge asked for more explanatory details from the witness.

Advanced Usage

• Self-explanatory: (Compound word) Clear enough to be understood without further explanation.
  • The diagram is self-explanatory; no manual is needed.
• In academic or technical writing, an explanatory variable is one that is manipulated or observed to explain changes in another variable.

Variants and Related Words

• Explain (verb): To make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving reasons for it.
• Explanation (noun): A statement or account that makes something clear.
• Unexplained (adjective): Not described or made clear; without a known reason.

Synonyms

• Descriptive: Serving to describe.
• Interpretive: Providing an explanation or interpretation.
• Illuminating: Helping to clarify or explain (often providing new insight).
• Expository: Intended to explain or describe something.

Antonyms

• Confusing: Difficult to understand; unclear.
• Mysterious: Difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.
• Cryptic: Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.

Related Phrases

• Explanatory power: (Noun phrase) The ability of a theory or model to explain a wide range of phenomena.
  • A good scientific theory has strong explanatory power.
• Explanatory style: (Noun phrase) In psychology, a person's habitual way of explaining events (e.g., optimistic vs. pessimistic).
• Explanatory note: (Noun phrase) A short piece of text that provides clarification.

Adjective

1. serving or intended to explain or make clear
   • explanatory notes
   • an explanatory paragraph