explain
verb/ɪkˈspleɪn/
/ɪkˈspleɪn/
Word Family
- explain verb
- explanation noun
- explanatory adjective
- explicable adjective (≠ inexplicable)
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they explain | /ɪkˈspleɪn/ /ɪkˈspleɪn/ |
| he / she / it explains | /ɪkˈspleɪnz/ /ɪkˈspleɪnz/ |
| past simple explained | /ɪkˈspleɪnd/ /ɪkˈspleɪnd/ |
| past participle explained | /ɪkˈspleɪnd/ /ɪkˈspleɪnd/ |
| -ing form explaining | /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/ /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] to tell somebody about something in a way that makes it easy to understand
- explain (something) He was trying to explain the difference between sarcasm and irony.
- First, I'll explain the rules of the game.
- The theory is not explained in detail.
- ‘Let me explain!’ he added helpfully.
- explain (something) to somebody It was difficult to explain the concept to beginners.
- explain that… I explained that an ambulance would be coming soon.
- explain who, how, etc… He explained who each person in the photo was.
- Can you explain how this machine works?
- explain to somebody who, how, etc… She explained to the children exactly what to do in an emergency.
- + speech ‘It works like this,’ she explained.
- it is explained that… It was explained that attendance was compulsory.
Express Yourself Asking for clarificationAsking for clarificationWhen you are given some information or asked to do something, you may need to check that you have understood correctly. Here are some ways of asking people to clarify what they said:- I’m sorry, I didn’t quite understand.
- Would you mind explaining that again? I’m not sure that I’ve understood correctly.
- Sorry, I don't quite follow (you).
- Can I just check that I’ve got this right?
- I’m not quite clear about what I’m supposed to do.
- I’m not really sure what you mean.
- Sorry, could you repeat that? I didn’t hear what you said.
- Sorry, would you mind repeating what you just said?
- If I understand you correctly, you want me to phone the customer and apologize?
- Do you mean (to say) that the deal's off?
- What exactly are you saying?
- So you're saying that the meeting's cancelled?
- Sorry, did you mean that I should wait here or come back later?
- Can you just confirm your date of birth for me, please?
Extra Examples- She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain.
- I'll explain the system in greater detail next time.
- The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely.
- It is a book which seeks to explain the birth of Greek tragedy.
- Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause.
- I tried to explain the problem to the technician.
- She explained the plan to me very carefully.
- It's difficult to explain exactly how the system works.
- Let me explain what I mean.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- in detail
- fully
- adequately
- …
- be able to
- be unable to
- can
- …
- about
- to
- explain everything
- go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- [intransitive, transitive] to give a reason, or be a reason, for something
- I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen.
- explain that… Alex explained that his car had broken down.
- explain why, how, etc… Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't phone.
- explain something Please explain your reasons.
- (informal) Oh well then, that explains it (= I understand now why something happened).
- The phenomenon is partly explained by the fact that global temperatures are rising.
- Slow growth in the economy is to be explained in terms of a lack of demand.
- explain something to somebody The government now has to explain its decision to the public.
- + speech ‘It was like this,’ she explained.
- You're going to have some explaining to do when your parents get home!
Extra Examples- There's no need to explain. We understand.
- She was unable to explain her behaviour.
- The official explained patiently that our documents were not valid.
- scientific findings that help explain the origins of the universe
- I can explain everything! I was just trying to help her with her homework!
- He explained awkwardly that he had not slept at his own home that night.
- This partly explains why he was so late.
- This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups.
- The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained.
- I know I'm late, but I can explain why.
- I have a letter here which explains everything.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- in detail
- fully
- adequately
- …
- be able to
- be unable to
- can
- …
- about
- to
- explain everything
- go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something
You cannot say ‘explain me, him, her, etc.’ Can you explain the situation to me? • Can you explain me the situation? • I'll explain to you why I like it. • I’ll explain you why I like it.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus ‘plain’.
Idioms
See explain in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee explain in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishexplain yourself
- to give somebody reasons for your behaviour, especially when they are angry or upset because of it
- I really don't see why I should have to explain myself to you.
- to say what you mean in a clear way
- Could you explain yourself a little more—I didn't understand.
Check pronunciation:
explain