explain

About 56.08 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

   The issue was explained to the governor in detail.

2. verb To give the reason for, justification for, or cause of.
3. verb To make flat, smooth out.
4. verb To unfold or make visible.
5. verb To make something plain or intelligible.

   She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.

Similar words

explicate excuse declare elucidate clarifying define explanation explanatory specify comment

Often followed by

the why how to that what it this his

Word family

explainable explained explaining explains