explain

 
Pronunciation: /ɪkˈspleɪn, ɛk-/

verb

[reporting verb]
  • make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts: [with clause]: they explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals [with direct speech]: ‘It’s a device of great age,’ the professor explained [with object]: he explained the situation
  • give a reason so as to justify or excuse (an action or event): [with object]: Cassie found it necessary to explain her blackened eye [with clause]: he makes athletes explain why they made a mistake [no object]: I explained about Maureen calling round
  • [with object] be the cause of or motivating factor for: her father’s violence explains her pacificism [with clause]: this would explain why so many adult children still live with their parents
  • (explain something away) minimize the significance of an embarrassing fact or action by giving an excuse or justification: they know stories about me that I can’t explain away

Phrases

explain oneself

expand on what one has said in order to make oneself clear.
excuse or justify one’s motives or conduct: he was too panicked to stay and explain himself to the policeman

Derivatives

explainable

adjective

explainer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus 'plain'