explain

explainverb

American /ɪk.ˈspleɪn/ British /ɪk.ˈspleɪn/

third-person singular explains past tense explained past participle explained present participle explaining

very commondefining vocabulary

To explain is to make something clear, or to give the reason for it.

make clearmake something clear or easy to understand by describing it or giving details
transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + wh-clause [V + wh] verb + that-clause [V + that]
- Can you explain the rules of the game to me? V + obj + prep + obj (the person takes to)
- The teacher explained how the machine works. V + wh
- Let me explain. (no object)
- She explained that the train had been delayed. V + that
Collocations
verb + noun explain the rules, explain the reasons, explain the situation, explain the meaning, explain the difference
verb + adverb explain clearly, explain carefully, explain briefly, explain in detail, explain patiently
verb + preposition explain to someone
phrase explain something to someone, explain in simple terms, let me explain, hard to explain
Synonyms clarify (clarify means the same: make something that was unclear clearer)
Compare describe (describe says what something is like; explain says how or why); tell (tell takes the person as its object: tell me, but explain it to me); define
For translators (sense 1)
Grammar trap The listener takes to and comes after the thing explained: explain the plan to me, not explain me the plan. Many languages allow the person as a direct object here; English never does with explain. Explain is not followed by a to-infinitive: explain how to do it.
give a reasongive a reason for something, or be the reason for it
transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + wh-clause [V + wh] verb + that-clause [V + that]
- How do you explain the missing money? V + obj
- He couldn't explain why he had lied. V + wh
- Her illness explains her absence from work. V + obj (the subject is the reason)
- Oh, that explains the noise! V + obj
Collocations
verb + noun explain your behavior, explain a decision, explain a delay, explain your absence
phrase there is nothing to explain, unable to explain
Synonyms account for (account for is more formal)
Compare justify (justify gives reasons to show that something was right)

Phrases

explain yourself

say why you did something, or make what you mean clear

Often said angrily to someone whose behavior needs a reason: Explain yourself!

You're two hours late. Explain yourself!
Sorry, I'm not explaining myself very well; let me start again.

that explains it

used to say that you now understand the reason for something

Said when you learn the reason for something that puzzled you. Also that explains a lot and that would explain it.

"Kim has been sick all week." "Ah, that explains it. I wondered why she didn't call."

Word family

explanation
explanatory
unexplained
inexplicable (impossible to explain)
self explanatory
explain away (phrasal verb)

Usage

Explain names the thing made clear, never the listener: explain the rules, explain the problem to the class. A question word can follow (explain how it works, explain why you left), but never a to-infinitive alone: not explain to do something. To make sure a listener understands, say explain it to someone or tell someone.

Common mistakes

Can you explain me the rules? Can you explain the rules to me?
The person takes to and comes after the thing explained.

He explained me that he was busy. He explained to me that he was busy.
With a that-clause, to me comes right after explain.

She explained to use the machine. She explained how to use the machine.
Explain is followed by a question word plus a to-infinitive, never by a to-infinitive alone.

Word origin

From Latin explanare, to make flat or plain, from planus, flat: the same root as plain and plane. To explain something is to make it plain.

Checked against: Wiktionary, Online Etymology Dictionary (2026-09-16)

For translators

Meaning across languages Explain covers both making something clear (explain the rules) and giving the reason for something (explain your absence, that explains it). Some languages use different verbs for these two; English uses one.

Grammar trap The listener takes to and follows the thing explained: explain it to me, not explain me it. A question-word clause or a that-clause can follow, but not a to-infinitive alone: explain how to do it, not explain to do it.

Pronunciation trap Stress is on the second syllable: ex-PLAIN. The x sounds like ks, and the first syllable is weak.