explain

explain — verb

1. to give someone the information they need to understand something — for example,

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to give someone the information they need to understand something — for example, describing how a machine runs, why the sky looks blue, or what a new word means.

Example

The mechanic explained to Haruto how the brake system works.

explain + to + person + wh-clause

Sari explained that the computer had frozen because of a software error.

explain + that-clause for stating a reason

Common collocations
  • explain clearly
  • explain briefly
  • explain in detail
  • explain how something works
  • explain what something means
Synonyms
  • clarify

    more formal; suggests making something that was already mentioned less confusing

  • describe

    focuses on giving details of appearance or experience, not necessarily making something understandable

  • demonstrate

    usually involves showing how something works through action, not just words

Antonyms
  • confuse

    to make something unclear rather than clear

  • obscure

    formal; to deliberately make something hard to understand

Grammar Patterns

explain + noun phrase

explain + that-clause

explain + wh-clause

explain + noun phrase + to + person

Usage Note

Frequently transitive, but can be used intransitively when the object is clear from context (e.g. 'Let me explain'). The personal recipient always follows 'to' — never 'explain someone something'.

Common Mistakes

Can you explain me the problem?
Can you explain the problem to me?
'explain' takes an indirect object only with 'to', not a double-object structure like 'give' or 'tell'.

2. to say why you did something, so that people who are upset or disappointed can u

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to say why you did something, so that people who are upset or disappointed can understand your point of view.

Example

Lakshmi had to explain to her manager why the report was late.

explain + why + to + person

Brandon explained that the bus broke down, so he missed the first hour of class.

explain + that-clause for giving an excuse

Common collocations
  • explain yourself
  • explain one's actions
  • explain one's behaviour
  • explain a decision
  • explain why you did something
Synonyms
  • justify

    stronger; suggests proving something was right, not just explaining it

  • account for

    slightly formal; focuses on covering all the facts so nothing is unexplained

  • excuse

    implies hoping to be forgiven, not just understood

Grammar Patterns

explain + noun phrase

explain + that-clause

explain + wh-clause

explain + yourself

Usage Note

Subject is always a person. The reflexive form 'explain yourself' is common when someone's behaviour seems unreasonable. Frequently contrasted with 'excuse' — explaining gives reasons; excusing asks for forgiveness.

Common Mistakes

She explained why she was late to.
She explained why she was late.' or 'She tried to explain.
'explain' is not used without an object or clause when giving reasons.

3. to serve as the reason that makes a situation understandable — for example, when

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to serve as the reason that makes a situation understandable — for example, when a lack of sleep explains why someone is irritable, or rain explains why the streets are wet.

Example

The heavy snowfall explains why the airport had to close.

explain + why-clause with impersonal subject

A high fever explained why the little girl had been so quiet all morning.

Common collocations
  • explain why
  • partly explain
  • be explained by
  • explain the reason for
  • largely explain
Synonyms
  • account for

    directly overlapping; more common in formal writing

  • justify

    implies moral correctness; 'explain' is neutral — the reason can be negative

  • indicate

    suggests the reason points to something without fully explaining it

Grammar Patterns

explain + noun phrase

explain + that-clause

explain + wh-clause

passive: be explained by + noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject is usually an impersonal cause (event, fact, situation, result), not a person. Common in academic and formal writing. Frequently passive ('be explained by'). This sense does NOT take a human recipient with 'to'.

Phrasal verbs

explain away

phrasal verb

to try to make a mistake or a bad situation seem less important by giving reasons for it.

Ilan tried to explain away the missing money, but no one believed him.

Salma could not explain away the coffee stain on her boss's report.

explain something to someone

phrasal verb

to give information about something to a particular person so that they can understand it.

The nurse explained the treatment plan to Ingrid's mother in simple words.

Idioms

explain yourself

idiom

To tell someone the reasons for what you did, especially when they are angry or confused.

Dad was furious, so Mia had to explain herself.

Can you explain yourself? I don't understand your decision.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These verbs all relate to making something understandable, but differ in how they do it. 'Explain' is the broadest — you give reasons, steps, or background so someone grasps a concept or situation. 'Clarify' is narrower: something was already partly understood but needs confusion removed ('The teacher clarified the homework deadline'). 'Describe' focuses on giving sensory details or an account of what happened, without necessarily making causes clear ('She described the sunset in vivid colours'). 'Demonstrate' involves showing by action or example, not just words ('He demonstrated how to tie a knot'). 'Illustrate' means to make a point clearer by giving a specific example or visual aid ('The chart illustrates the rise in temperature'). Choose 'explain' for general understanding, 'clarify' for clearing confusion, and 'demonstrate' when action or proof is involved.

explain ↗clarify ↗describe ↗demonstrate ↗illustrate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

'Explain' entered English from Latin 'explanare', meaning 'to make smooth or level'. 'Ex-' means 'out', and 'planus' means 'flat or clear'. In Latin, smoothing out a rough surface became a metaphor for making ideas smooth and understandable — removing the 'bumps' from confusing information so it flows clearly. The word has kept this core sense since the 1400s.