Academic / A2

ik-SPLAYN/ɪkˈspleɪn/

To explain is to make an idea clear. Explain something to someone. Not “explain me the word” — say explain the word to me. Explanation is the noun. Describe is how it looks; explain is why or how it works.

Meaning

To make something clear so that people understand it.

Examples

• “Can you explain this word in simple English?”
• “Can you explain this rule?”
• “She explained the problem to the class.”

Good to know

explain something to someone. Noun: explanation.

Topics

New