English dictionary
Hint: Wildcards can be used multiple times in a query.
English verb: explain | |||
| 1. | explain (communication) make plain and comprehensible | ||
| Samples | He explained the laws of physics to his students. | ||
| Examples | Sam and Sue explain the movie | ||
| Synonyms | explicate | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s something. Somebody ----s that CLAUSE | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | inform | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | account for, clarify, clear up, comment, elucidate, interpret, naturalize, rede | ||
| 2. | explain (communication) define | ||
| Samples | The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean. | ||
| Examples | They explain that there was a traffic accident | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s that CLAUSE | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | say, state, tell | ||
| 3. | explain (communication) serve as a reason or cause or justification of | ||
| Samples | Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work. Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again. | ||
| Synonyms | excuse | ||
| Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | justify, vindicate | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | alibi | ||
Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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Web design: Orcapia v/Per Bang. English edition: .
2025 onlineordbog.dk