What does explain mean?
To explain is to make something clear or understandable, whether by describing how it works, revealing why it happened, or unpacking an idea in accessible terms. It is one of the most versatile verbs in English, spanning classrooms, courtrooms, laboratories, and everyday conversation: a scientist explains results, a friend explains a delay, and a child explains a broken vase. Beyond simply conveying information, explain also means 'to account for' — as when one fact explains another — and, in the reflexive phrase 'explain yourself', to justify one's own behaviour. The word derives from the Latin explanare, literally 'to flatten out', an image of smoothing something flat so that nothing remains hidden or uneven. Neutral in tone and universal in register, explain is essential to teaching, reasoning, and honest communication alike, capturing the fundamental human impulse to turn confusion into clarity.
verbTo make something clear or easy to understand by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; to give reasons for something, often to justify why it happened.
- To make something clear or easy to understand by giving details or reasons about it.
- To account for or serve as the reason for something (e.g. 'the delay explains her absence').
- To justify one's own behaviour, often apologetically (e.g. 'explain yourself').
"The teacher patiently explained the concept of gravity using a simple demonstration."
"Could you explain how the new booking system works?"
"Scientists still cannot fully explain why the ancient structure was built."
Explain comes from Latin words meaning to 'flatten out' — literally smoothing something flat so every part can be seen clearly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of explain
Explain entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin explanare, meaning 'to flatten, make level, or set forth clearly', formed from ex- ('out') and planus ('flat, level'). The original literal sense of smoothing something flat gradually gave way to the figurative sense of making something plain to the mind. It shares this Latin root planus with words such as explicit, explanation, and explanatory, and distantly with plain itself.
Related word forms
How explain is actually used
Explain is neutral in register and works equally well in formal and everyday contexts. It commonly takes a direct object plus an indirect object introduced by 'to' ('explain it to me'), and note that 'explain me it' is nonstandard — English requires 'explain it to me'. The reflexive use ('explain yourself') carries a mildly reproachful tone, implying someone's conduct needs justification.
Easily confused with explain
To exclaim is to cry out suddenly in surprise or emotion, whereas to explain is to make something clear by giving details.