self-explaining
Adjective: "self-explaining" describes something that is clear and understandable without needing additional explanation or interpretation. It implies that the meaning or purpose is immediately obvious from the thing itself.
- (The diagram's meaning is clear on its own.)
- (The instructions needed no further clarification.)
- (The interface's purpose is obvious without labels.)
"Self-explaining" vs. "self-explanatory": Both are synonymous, but "self-explaining" is less common and may emphasize the process of being clear, while "self-explanatory" is more standard.
- His gesture was self-explaining; he pointed to the exit. (The gesture alone conveyed the meaning.)
Technical contexts: In design or documentation, "self-explaining" is used to describe features that require no user manual.
- The error message was self-explaining, showing the exact problem and how to fix it. (The message provided all necessary information.)
Self-explanatory (adj): the more common synonym.
- The chart is self-explanatory; the labels are clear. (No explanation is needed.)
Self-evident (adj): obvious without proof or explanation (often used in philosophy or logic).
- That all people are created equal is a self-evident truth. (It requires no justification.)
- Obvious: easily seen or understood.
- Clear: easy to perceive or understand.
- Transparent: easy to understand; not ambiguous.
- Unambiguous: having only one possible meaning.
Speak for itself: to be so clear that no explanation is needed.
- The results speak for themselves; we don't need to justify them. (The results are self-explaining.)
Go without saying: to be so obvious that it does not need to be stated.
- It goes without saying that honesty is important. (This is self-explaining.)