explanatory
adjectiveOPAL W
/ɪkˈsplænətri/
/ɪkˈsplænətɔːri/
[usually before noun]Word Family
- explain verb
- explanation noun
- explanatory adjective
- explicable adjective (≠ inexplicable)
- giving the reasons for something; intended to describe how something works or to make something easier to understand
- There are explanatory notes at the back of the book.
Oxford Collocations DictionaryExplanatory is used with these nouns:- leaflet
- letter
- memorandum
- …
Word Originearly 17th cent.: from late Latin explanatorius, from Latin explanare, based on planus ‘plain’.