explainex‧plain /ɪkˈspleɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 verb [intransitive, transitive] 
He carefully explained the procedure.explain (to somebody) why/how/what etc The librarian will explain how to use the catalogue system. Let me explain what I mean.explain that He explained that it had been a difficult film to make.explain something to somebody I explained the situation to my bank manager.2to give a reason for something or to be a reason for something: Wait! I can explain everything. How can you explain that sort of behaviour?explain that She explained that she had been ill.explain why/how/what etc I’ll explain why I don’t believe your story. That still doesn’t explain how he was able to hide the body.3explain yourself a)to tell someone who is angry or upset with you the reasons why you did something: I’m going to give you five seconds to explain yourself. b)to say clearly what you mean: Sorry, I’m not explaining myself very well.explain something ↔ away phrasal verb to make something seem less important or bad by giving reasons for it: The difference in the treatment they receive is hard to explain away.GRAMMARYou explain something to someone: · Alan explained the system to me. ✗Don’t say: Alan explained me the system. | Alan explained to me the system.THESAURUSexplain to give someone the information they need to understand something: · She explained how to use the software.· Doctors usually explain the risks of the treatment to patients.tell to explain something. People often use tell instead of explain in everyday conversation: · He told me how to get to his house.· The book tells you how to improve your health through diet.show to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you: · Ellen showed me how to work the coffee maker.demonstrate /ˈdemənstreɪt/ to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is part of your job: · The cabin crew demonstrated the safety procedures to the passengers.· A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the equipment properly.go through something to explain something carefully, especially one step at a time: · Mrs. Riddell went through the homework assignment.set out something to explain a series of ideas, reasons or opinions in an organized way in writing or in a speech: · In his speech, he intended to set out the party’s policies on education.
WORD ORIGINexplain
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin explanare ‘to make level, unfold’, from planus ‘level, flat’VERB TABLE
explain
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | explain |
| he, she, it | explains | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | explained |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have explained |
| he, she, it | has explained | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had explained |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will explain |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have explained |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am explaining |
| he, she, it | is explaining | |
| you, we, they | are explaining | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was explaining |
| you, we, they | were explaining | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been explaining |
| he, she, it | has been explaining | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been explaining |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be explaining |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been explaining |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Can you explain what the poem means?
- Could you explain the rules of the game to me, please?
- Doctors are unable to explain why the disease spread so quickly.
- I don't have time to explain now - just come with me quickly!
- If you don't get the joke, I'll explain it to you later.
- It's not so complicated - let me explain.
- It was difficult explaining to the children why their father was leaving home.
- Let me show you - it's too difficult to explain.
- Sarah explained that she hadn't been feeling well recently.
- She couldn't sleep last night, which explains why she was in such a bad mood this morning.
- She just doesn't like me. How else can you explain her behaviour?
- The doctor explained how the clinic operates.
- We listened carefully while Pam explained the process.
- We were all puzzled: what could explain his sudden change of mind?
- But the dynamics of his thinking have never been easy to explain.
- I had nothing in my vocabulary of human behavior to explain him.
- I would prefer the teacher to explain things rather than the computer.
- Shakespeare took the time to explain this; director Jocelyn Moorhouse does not.
- The problem may explain why Brady has not made more of an impact since exploding on the scene three years ago.
- The reason this requires explaining is that young women are different from other human beings in this respect.
- This explains why the extent of the use of crack is not necessarily indicated by the scale of seizures.
- This may, inpart, explain why current approaches seem so distant from those applied to other periods of the past.
THESAURUS
to give someone the information they need to understand something: · She explained how to use the software.· Doctors usually explain the risks of the treatment to patients.
to explain something. People often use tell instead of explain in everyday conversation: · He told me how to get to his house.· The book tells you how to improve your health through diet.
to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you: · Ellen showed me how to work the coffee maker.
to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is part of your job: · The cabin crew demonstrated the safety procedures to the passengers.· A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the equipment properly.
to explain something carefully, especially one step at a time: · Mrs. Riddell went through the homework assignment.
to explain a series of ideas, reasons or opinions in an organized way in writing or in a speech: · In his speech, he intended to set out the party’s policies on education.
Longman Language Activatorto explain something to give someone the information they need to understand something: · It's not so complicated - let me explain.· We listened carefully while Pam explained the process.· Let me show you - it's too difficult to explain.explain something to somebody: · If you don't get the joke, I'll explain it to you later.· Could you explain the rules of the game to me, please?explain how/what/why etc: · Can you explain what the poem means?· The doctor explained how the clinic operates.
especially spoken to explain to someone how something works or how to do something: tell somebody how/what/why etc: · Can you tell me how to log on to the Internet?· The leaflet tells you what to do if you get malaria.
spoken to explain the reasons for something or give detailed information about something: · He didn't say where he was going or who he was going with.· Did Caroline say why she needed the tape recorder?
to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you: · "How do you change the speed of the drill?" "Let me show you."show somebody something: · I'll show you an easier way to get down from there.show somebody how to do something: · Can you show me how to use your camera?show somebody what to do: · If you show him what to do, I'm sure he'll do a good job.
to show someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is your job to show people how to do things: · The ski instructor began by demonstrating the correct way to turn.· If you still don't understand, Marcia will be happy to demonstrate.demonstrate how: · A trainer came in to demonstrate how the new computer system worked.
to explain all the details about something in the right order, to help someone understand it: · I'll go through the instructions once more in case you missed anything.· If you stay after class, I'll go through the theory with you again.
written to provide new information which makes something easier to understand, especially something which has been studied, but which is still not well understood: · These discoveries may shed light on the origins of the universe.· Scientists working in the Gobi desert have thrown new light on the life of dinosaurs.
to explain facts, arguments, reasons etc by stating them clearly and in a carefully planned order: set out something: · She set out the reasons for her resignation in a confidential letter to her boss.· The Republicans' goals for the year are clearly set out in the party platform.set something out: · The facts, as you have set them out, seem convincing enough.
what you say when you are going to explain something spoken say this when you are explaining something to someone, and you want to check that they are listening and that they understand you: · This fits on here, see, where the arrow is.· Simon's car broke down, you see, and neither of us knew how to fix it.
spoken say this when you are explaining something you have said or giving an example of something: · Ted seems kind of lazy. I mean, he never offers to help and he just lies in front of the TV.what I mean (to say) is: · I'm afraid I can't help you. What I mean is that I'm not a detective, and I don't solve crimes.
use this when you are saying something in a different way in order to explain it more clearly: · What we need is a more sustainable transport system, in other words, more buses and trains, and fewer cars.· This is supposed to be a democracy - in other words, one person one vote.
spoken use this when you are explaining a problem or the reason for something: · I really don't want to leave yet. The thing is, I have an appointment in 15 minutes.· I do have a computer, but the thing is, it's really old and I can't use it for email.
use this to explain the meaning of the previous word or phrase by giving more information about it: · The fare is reduced for children, that is, anyone under 15 years old.· All documents are printed in the two official languages - that is, English and French.
spoken say this when you want to explain something to someone because you think they have not understood: · I can see you're getting confused. Let me explain.· I know the plan seems a little crazy at first, but it's really not. Let me explain.
used when you have explained something in one way and you are going to try to make it clearer by explaining it in a different way: · Money makes money. To put it another way, the more you invest, the greater your potential profit will be.· The problem demands a global solution. To put it another way, local regulations will have very little effect.
spoken say this when someone is not sure what you mean and you are going to try to explain in a way that will help them to understand, especially by saying something humorous or direct: · "Does he get many dates?" "Put it like this - you don't have to feel sorry for him."· Put it this way, honey - what the boss doesn't know isn't going to bother him.
spoken used when you are going to use different words to say something again, because you have just said it in an unsuitable way and it may not have been understood correctly: · I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. That wasn't what I meant to say at all.· Most of the people there were incredibly old. Let me rephrase that - we were the youngest couple there.
to explain something in a simpler way to explain something difficult in simple language so that it is easier to understand: · We have done everything we can to simplify the procedure.· She took a complex topic and simplified it in a way that we could all understand.
to give a simple, clear explanation of an important but difficult subject so that it is easier for ordinary people to understand: · This new book demystifies some of the computer language currently in use.· The course seeks to demystify the loan application process for people buying a home for the first time.
if you explain something or tell someone something in plain English , you explain it simply and clearly, without using difficult words or technical language: · I just wish someone would explain to me in plain English what is wrong with my computer.· It says "the children lack the ability to mobilize self and commit" - what does that mean in plain English?
the words you write or say to explain something something that you say or write in order to make something clearer or to explain why something happened: · Each diagram is followed by a simple explanation.explanation for: · What was their explanation for their decision?explanation of: · Our guide gave us a detailed explanation of the system of government.give/offer (somebody) an explanation: · Can you give us a quick explanation of how it works?· She offered no explanation as to why she had left so suddenly.
written or spoken information that explains exactly how to do something: · Read the instructions carefully before using the machine.· The cooking instructions are on the back of the box.give (somebody) instructions: · They gave us detailed instructions explaining how to get to their house.follow instructions (=do what they tell you): · if you had followed my instructions, none of this would have happened.
a detailed description of a process which also explains how it happens and what makes it possible: account of: · So far no linguist has given us a satisfactory account of how children learn language.· Her account of the events of that day was wildly different from the first witness's.
to tell someone the reason for something to tell someone why something happened: · I knew she was annoyed, but she wouldn't say why.· Can anyone tell us why there are no buses today?
to tell someone the reason for something, so that they understand the situation better: · She just doesn't like me. How else can you explain her behaviour?· I don't have time to explain now - just come with me quickly!explain why/how/what etc: · Doctors are unable to explain why the disease spread so quickly.explain that: · Sarah explained that she hadn't been feeling well recently.explain to: · It was difficult explaining to the children why their father was leaving home.
to tell someone why you are doing something, especially something surprising: · "He says he's not coming." "Oh, did he give a reason?"give somebody a reason: · The landlord told us we had to go, but we were never given any reason.
to tell someone the reason for something that has happened, especially when people are looking for a reason to explain it: · If you walked home, how do you account for the fact that a witness said he saw you driving your van?· It is difficult to account for the big differences in their scores.
to tell someone the reason why something happened when they have asked you to explain. Provide an explanation is more formal than come up with an explanation: · In an attempt to provide an explanation she said she thought I had given her permission to be absent.· After failing to come up with an adequate explanation, Jones was arrested for robbery.
to tell someone why something that seems wrong is in fact right: · How can you justify the expense?justify doing something: · How can you possibly justify charging four pounds for a glass of beer?
to tell someone the reason why you did something or why something happened, with the intention of making them think you have not done anything wrong or bad: explain away something: · George was trying to explain away his outburst, saying that he'd been under a lot of pressure.· The government tried to explain away the police's unexpected brutality, but this only led to rioting.explain something away: · But there's broken glass all over the floor - how are we going to explain that away?
to be the reason why something happened or why someone does something to be the reason why something happened or why someone did something: be the reason for/behind: · Nick's teachers think that problems at home are the reason for his poor schoolwork.be the reason why: · He borrowed too much money, and that's the reason why his business failed.be the reason (that): · I knew that I had my weaknesses. Perhaps that is the reason that I was not more successful.
if a fact or situation explains something, it helps you to understand why it happened: · We were all puzzled: what could explain his sudden change of mind?explain why/what/how: · She couldn't sleep last night, which explains why she was in such a bad mood this morning.
formal to be the reason that explains why something strange or surprising happened: · If it's true that he was taking drugs, that would account for his strange behaviour.
to be someone's personal reason for doing something: · Not all people are motivated by self-interest.motivate somebody to do something: · It's frustration that motivates babies to learn to walk.
to be the secret or hidden reason for someone's action or behaviour: · I wonder what lies behind Arthur's sudden interest in golf?· I think that behind Tania's aggression lay a deep insecurity about herself.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She went to the office to explain her predicament.
· The doctor spent time describing the treatment in detail to me.
(=talk about it)· He explained his dilemma to me.
She went to the office to explain her predicament.· How could he possibly explain the presence of so much money in his flat?
· Explain the reasons for your choice.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· She had almost been tempted to explain away André's remark, but her mind was working quickly.· There are many others, but most can be explained away, or are inconclusive.· It is something that can not be explained away.· If the relationship between two variables disappears when a prior variable is controlled, the original effect has been explained away.· Those changes that were noticed were explained away as disturbances in the upper atmosphere.· This staggering figure could not easily be explained away.· There may be some justification for this if you are trying to explain away your overdraft to the bank manager yet again.· Recognising this paradox lends weight to the patriarchy thesis, explaining away many apparent counter-examples.
· He explains how he felt a tingling sensation down his left-hand side but did not immediately call for help.· Here's a few reasons that might explain how Brown won.· This sediment thickening indicates the role of sediment loading in sustaining basin subsidence but it does not explain how basins originate.· Can some one explain how kids' birthday parties became mandatory and, frequently, icky?· Can you explain how you got the idea?· Behe contends that evolutionists never try to explain how complex systems might have arisen through incremental changes.· Hilary explains how she deals with on-air technical problems.· He listens to an oldies radio station while explaining how to parallel park.
· This explains why the extent of the use of crack is not necessarily indicated by the scale of seizures.· He was brilliant, with a tendency to arrogance; perhaps that explained why he got along so well with Lleland.· This explains why one finds contrary demands being made by groups in different places.· This explains why heads of governments, the police and the Establishment in general are such popular targets for the protesters' attacks.· The lack of consensus explains why area politicians have failed to reach an acceptable solution.· In this section we explain why they can, and list some of the information sources you might want to use.· Here I should explain why over a hundred thousand miners were striking against the federal courts.
NOUN· To explain the difference between the two structures, they are placed in a realistic context.· This may explain the major difference between men and women when it comes to reading and reacting to others.· Economists are more concerned to find similarities among firms than to explain the differences.· Gordon explained the difference between mere literacy and critical reading.· As a result, there has been a recent proliferation of studies seeking to explain international differences in strike activity.· And these differences in structure partially explain differences in attitudes found among the nations.· Other risk factors, not related to ethnicity, probably explain remaining differences between Maori and non-Maori children.· Political socialization research attempts to explain how such differences in political beliefs can occur.
· Given the mobility constraints, is the cooperation of labour not better explained by the fact that employees have little alternative?· The girls explain the facts of life to him.· Sadly, as I shall explain, the facts do not bear out the interpretation given to them by the Foreign Secretary.· In addition, it explains various detailed observational facts which are incompatible with the older Newtonian scheme.· This phenomenon is explained by the fact that elements can be introduced into mental models without being explicitly mentioned.· But this sort of secrecy can often produce more anxiety than if parents explain the facts clearly and simply.· There's no other way to explain the fact that he's been allowed to buy that land so cheaply.· To explain the most important facts about drugs. 2.
· He did not apparently find it necessary to explain the reasons for this sexist-sounding conclusion.· The men of long ago wondered why this should be, and they told stories to explain the reason.· There have been several attempts to explain the reasons for the strong seismic reflections from such zones.· If this has not been the case, it will be up to the individuals to explain the reasons behind this.· No need to explain one's reasons for suddenly looking out of the window.· When asked by Geoffrey Fisher to explain his reasons, he found that he had difficulty in finding a reason.· A centre wishing to offer any of these modules in the Session 1991/92 should write, explaining the reasons, to.· If the doctor overspends, he or she may be asked to explain the medical reasons for this to another doctor.
· Life-history theory could readily explain dwarfing if juvenile, but not adult, male mortality were large.· A major purpose of monetary theory is to explain the behavior of real income and prices.· Generally, different theories are used to explain widely different phenomena, from the forces in the atom to gravity.· Such a step allows development of theory which can explain social transformation in terms of unitary types of activity. 2.· Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause, economic, political or organisational.· This theory explains our ability to refer using names in terms of our ability to refer using definite descriptions.· Merton's model or theory does not adequately explain all types of criminal behaviour.· There is a fashionable theory to explain this.
VERB· A teacher wrote to me recently asking if I could explain her inspection feedback.· Ahab talks to this head and asks it to explain the mystery of the universe.· Bob asks the questions then explains how the youngsters maintain his enthusiasm.· More advanced students might be asked to read and explain directions.· I asked him to explain his pricing policy.· Zall was also asked to explain why his group should be a party to the litigation in the first place.· You should never be afraid to ask the physiotherapist to explain what she is doing.· I asked him to explain the voting rules again.
· Be that as it may, I shall attempt to explain the spiritual aspect in my own terms.· It is not deconstructive in the sense that it attempts to explain those contradictions via a coherent theory.· Freud's theory is attempting to explain how religious rituals and beliefs started in human cultures in the first instance.· Kass and his colleagues presented this important bit of information without attempting to explain it.· The study not only describes changes in central-local relationships but it also attempts to explain them.· Once again I attempted to explain.· This is a clear example of attempting to explain an unknown phenomenon by means of models based on known phenomena.· In such a climate, it is ambitious to attempt to explain scientific problems in simple terms.
· Geography was important because it would help the evolutionist to explain how populations were able to migrate and adapt to new locations.· That may help explain why alternative keyboards remain something of a novelty in the workplace.· This weaved-up mystery lies at the heart of the Metamorphoses and helps to explain its extraordinary continuing appeal.· The drawings help explain what to do. 11 Breeding flour beetles Flour beetles live in and feed on stored flour.· Yet this relationship was deeply problematic, which helps to explain the diversity of opinion and the contradictions within the phenomenon.· This ambiguity of language helps to explain why so many interpretations of Wordsworth's philosophy and religion were able to arise.· The origins are important because they help explain a number of otherwise curious features of the societies.· The degree to which characteristics and local and national factors help explain the differing degree of unemployment will be investigated.
· I have tried to explain that in Claudia's case memory is particularly treacherous, but Letterman likes the idea of ambiguity.· I remember my mom trying to explain it to me.· I try to explain that Rainbow Rosenbloom has almost nothing but a few genes in common with Anya's faithless Gittel.· At last, but how no one ever tried to explain, two children were born to this shapeless nothingness.· How does a man even try to explain that he is falling apart because he doesn't kill people any more?· I try to explain this to Professor Sano, working hard to keep back the tears.· I tried my hardest to explain how it had come about.· He tried to explain it to her.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- John doesn't make excuses or explain himself to anybody.
- No, that's not what I meant. I guess I didn't explain myself very well.
- Censure gives Mr Wahid three months to explain himself.
- He waited for Ballater to explain himself or to state the reason for his visit.
- I had explained myself, as I always did, but I could scarcely explain myself away.
- I knew I could explain myself.
- I regard this as part of my life, a duty to explain myself.
- She tried to speak, to call for help, to explain herself, to scream, but no words would come.
- When, eventually, he was admitted to the presence of the Chairman he would have perhaps fifteen minutes to explain himself.
- Yet now, commanded to appear before elected officials, he had to explain himself, give an accounting of his views.
- It took a bit of doing - for instance, the disposal site had to check out 100 percent.
- It took a bit of explaining.
- That's going to take a bit of explaining.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveunexplainedexplanatoryexplicable ≠ inexplicablenounexplainingexplanationverbexplainadverbinexplicably
1to tell someone about something in a way that is clear or easy to understand: He carefully explained the procedure.explain (to somebody) why/how/what etc The librarian will explain how to use the catalogue system. Let me explain what I mean.explain that He explained that it had been a difficult film to make.explain something to somebody I explained the situation to my bank manager.2to give a reason for something or to be a reason for something: Wait! I can explain everything. How can you explain that sort of behaviour?explain that She explained that she had been ill.explain why/how/what etc I’ll explain why I don’t believe your story. That still doesn’t explain how he was able to hide the body.3explain yourself a)to tell someone who is angry or upset with you the reasons why you did something: I’m going to give you five seconds to explain yourself. b)to say clearly what you mean: Sorry, I’m not explaining myself very well.explain something ↔ away phrasal verb to make something seem less important or bad by giving reasons for it: The difference in the treatment they receive is hard to explain away.GRAMMARYou explain something to someone: · Alan explained the system to me. ✗Don’t say: Alan explained me the system. | Alan explained to me the system.THESAURUSexplain to give someone the information they need to understand something: · She explained how to use the software.· Doctors usually explain the risks of the treatment to patients.tell to explain something. People often use tell instead of explain in everyday conversation: · He told me how to get to his house.· The book tells you how to improve your health through diet.show to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you: · Ellen showed me how to work the coffee maker.demonstrate /ˈdemənstreɪt/ to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is part of your job: · The cabin crew demonstrated the safety procedures to the passengers.· A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the equipment properly.go through something to explain something carefully, especially one step at a time: · Mrs. Riddell went through the homework assignment.set out something to explain a series of ideas, reasons or opinions in an organized way in writing or in a speech: · In his speech, he intended to set out the party’s policies on education.