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explain

ex·plain

explain

 
 
pronunciation:
ihk spleIn
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
part of speech: verb
inflections: explains, explaining, explained
definition 1: to give information so that another person can understand something.
The teacher explained the directions to the students.
 
synonyms:
show
similar words:
demonstrate, get across, interpret
definition 2: to give reasons for.
Please explain why you were not at work this morning.
similar words:
defend
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: explainable (adj.)
Word Explorer
See
  education, literature