explanation

explanation — noun

1. something that someone says or writes in order to help other people understand w

1.nounA2
Definition

something that someone says or writes in order to help other people understand why something happened or how something works

Example

Tyler gave a clear explanation of how the voting system works.

collocation: give + an explanation + of [topic]

The teacher asked for an explanation of why the homework was late.

Common collocations
  • give an explanation
  • provide an explanation
  • offer an explanation
  • demand an explanation
  • require an explanation
  • clear explanation
  • detailed explanation
  • full explanation
  • brief explanation
  • reasonable explanation
  • explanation for
  • explanation of
Synonyms
  • account

    focuses on describing a sequence of events; often used in news or witness statements

  • clarification

    focuses on making something previously unclear become understandable; more formal

  • reason

    emphasises the cause or justification rather than the descriptive content

Antonyms
  • mystery

    something that remains unknown or unexplained

  • confusion

    a state where understanding is absent

Grammar Patterns

explanation + for + noun phrase — reason for an event

explanation + of + noun phrase — description of how something works

give/provide/offer + an explanation

Usage Note

Commonly followed by 'for' when giving a reason for an event, and by 'of' when describing how something works. 'Explanation' is a countable noun in this sense — you can say 'an explanation' or 'explanations'.

Common Mistakes

Can you give me explain?
Can you give me an explanation?
'explain' is a verb; 'explanation' is the noun form.
The explanation about the problem was unclear.
The explanation for the problem was unclear.
Use 'for' (not 'about') after 'explanation' when stating the reason.
She made an explanation of the rules.
She gave an explanation of the rules.
The natural collocation is 'give/provide/offer an explanation', not 'make an explanation'.

2. the activity or process of making something clear or easy to understand by descr

2.nounB2
Definition

the activity or process of making something clear or easy to understand by describing it in detail

Example

The explanation of the experiment took longer than the experiment itself.

pattern: the explanation + of + [topic] as a process

Naoko's explanation of the theory was so clear that even beginners could follow it.

Common collocations
  • the explanation of
  • step-by-step explanation
  • brief explanation
  • patient explanation
  • verbal explanation
  • written explanation
Synonyms
  • exposition

    a thorough, formal explanation, often in writing or public speaking

  • elucidation

    a formal term for the act of making something clear, especially in academic contexts

Antonyms
  • obscurity

    the state of being unclear or hard to understand

Grammar Patterns

the explanation + of + noun

adjective + explanation

Usage Note

This sense refers to the act or process itself rather than the content. It is often uncountable and paired with 'the'. Distinguish from sense 1: if you can count it ('three explanations'), it is sense 1; if you are talking about the time or effort spent explaining, it is sense 2.

Common Mistakes

I need two explanations of the rules' (when referring to the act of explaining twice).
I need two separate explanations of the rules' OR better 'I need to explain the rules twice.
Sense 2 is uncountable; use a different construction to express repeated acts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words relate to making something understood, but they differ in focus. An 'account' describes events or a situation in sequence, often in news reports or witness statements ('The witness gave a detailed account of the accident'). A 'clarification' resolves a specific point of confusion or ambiguity — it is narrower than an explanation and often comes as a follow-up ('The manager offered a clarification of the policy after the meeting'). A 'reason' identifies the cause or justification for an action or event, without necessarily providing descriptive detail ('She gave no reason for leaving early'). 'Explanation' is the broadest term, covering both the content ('explanation + of' for how things work) and the justification ('explanation + for' for why things happen).

account ↗clarification ↗reason ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in explanation of
  • by way of explanation
  • without explanation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'explanare', meaning 'to make level, make plain or clear'. This was formed by combining the prefix 'ex-' (meaning 'out') with 'planus' (meaning 'flat, level, clear'). It entered English through Old French in the late 14th century, first appearing with the sense of 'a making plain or clear'.