- 1
To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.transitive
- The issue was explained to the governor in detail.
- 2
To give the reason for, justification for, or cause of.transitive
- It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the nex
- 3
To make flat, smooth out.obsolete
- 4
To unfold or make visible.obsolete
- April 14, 1684, John Evelyn, a letter sent to the Royal Society concerning the damage done to his gardens by the preceding winter The horse-chestnut is […] ready to explain its leaf.
- 5
To make something plain or intelligible.intransitive
- She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.
syn. absolve · clarify · describe · direct · disclose · explain · illustrate · inform · instruct · justify · specify · teach
ant. obscure