explain
explain
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling of "explain" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ɪkˈspleɪn (American English)
Sounds by Syllable:
ex (ɪk):
/ɪ/: Short "i" sound like in "bit"
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive consonant, similar to the "k" sound in "key"
plain (ˈspleɪn): (primary stress)
/ˈ/: Primary stress marker placed before the stressed syllable
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative consonant, similar to the "s" sound in "sip"
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive consonant, similar to the "p" sound in "pin"
/l/: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant consonant, similar to the "l" sound in "lip"
/eɪ/: Long "ay" sound like in "say"
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal consonant, similar to the "n" sound in "pin"
Word Form Variations
"Explain" itself doesn't have variations based on singular or plural. It functions as a verb in all contexts.
However, here are some related word forms you might find useful:
Tense variations:
Present tense (base form): explain
Past tense: explained
Present participle (continuous): explaining
Past participle: explained
Derivatives:
Noun: explanation (the act of explaining something)
Adjective: explainable (able to be explained)
Adverb: unexplainably (in a way that cannot be explained)
Less common: explainer (someone who explains something), explanatory (serving to explain something)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb:
Definition: To make something clear or understandable by providing information or giving reasons.
Synonyms: clarify, elucidate, expound, interpret, define, illustrate, decipher
Antonyms: confuse, obfuscate, mystify, bewilder
Noun:
Definition: The act of making something clear or understandable.
Synonyms: clarification, elucidation, exposition, interpretation, definition, illustration
Antonyms: confusion, obfuscation, mystification
Adjective (less common):
Definition: Able to be explained or understood.
Synonyms: understandable, clear, explicable
Antonyms: unexplainable, unclear, inexplicable
Adverb (less common):
Definition: In a way that can't be explained.
Synonyms: inexplicably, mysteriously, unaccountably
Antonyms: understandably, clearly, explicably
Examples of Use
Verb:
Book: "The teacher patiently explained the maths problem to the confused student" (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone).
Newspaper: "The scientist attempted to explain the cause of the recent earthquake" (The New York Times, Science Section).
Online Publication: "This article explains how to build your own website" (Website builder platform blog).
Entertainment (Movie): "Wait a minute, let me explain!" (Character pleading innocence in a crime film).
Entertainment (TV Show): "In the next episode, we'll explain the shocking cliffhanger" (TV show host promoting the next episode).
Public Discourse: "The politician tried to explain his controversial policy proposal to the voters" (News report on a political rally).
Noun:
Book: "His explanation of the theory was clear and concise" (Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time).
Newspaper: "The police are still seeking an explanation for the motive behind the crime" (News article about an investigation).
Online Publication: "The website offers detailed explanations of common computer errors" (Tech troubleshooting website).
Entertainment (Movie): "The movie lacked a satisfying explanation for the alien invasion" (Movie review).
Entertainment (Video Game): "The in-game tutorial provides explanations of the game mechanics" (Description of a video game).
Public Discourse: "The scientist's explanation for the breakthrough was met with skepticism" (News report on a scientific discovery).
Adjective (less common):
Book: "The children's book used simple, explainable language" (Review of a children's book).
Scientific Paper: "Further research is needed to determine the explainable factors in this experiment" (Research paper on a medical study).
Adverb (less common):
Newspaper: "The accident occurred unexplainably on a clear day" (News report on a mysterious event).
Book: "The ending of the novel left the reader feeling inexplicably confused" (Review of a suspenseful novel).
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Explain
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep searching until you find what ignites your soul. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs (This quote doesn't explicitly use "explain" but the sentiment aligns with making something clear and passionate).
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein [Source: BrainyQuote]
"The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one." - Malcolm Forbes [Source: Goodreads]
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates [Source: Plato, Apology]
"It is the duty of the human person to follow the path of wisdom." - Marcus Aurelius [Source: Meditations]
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates [Source: Plato, Apology]
"The only source of knowledge is experience." - Albert Einstein [Source: The World As I See It]
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela [Source: Long Walk to Freedom]
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss [Source: I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!]
"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you." - B.B. King [Source: Quote attributed to King in various publications]
Etymology
The word "explain" comes from a long journey through languages! Originally, way back in ancient Rome, they had a word "planus" which meant "flat" or "level." Imagine a smooth, flat surface.
Then, they created another word "explanare" based on "planus." This word meant "to make something flat" but also started to be used figuratively to mean "to make something clear or easy to understand." It's like flattening out a confusing idea!
This Latin word "explanare" eventually traveled to Old French, where it became "explaner." Finally, around the 1400s in England, people started using the word "explain" which we use today. So, even though it started with something physical like flatness, "explain" now refers to making things clear in our minds.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Explain
Phrases:
Explain away: To try to justify something or make it seem less important. (e.g., "He tried to explain away his bad behaviour by blaming the traffic.")
Explain oneself: To justify one's actions or words. (e.g., "The politician had to explain herself to the public after making a controversial statement.")
Explain in detail: To provide a thorough and complete explanation. (e.g., "The teacher explained the experiment in detail so everyone understood.")
Idioms:
Be lost for words: To be unable to explain yourself due to surprise, shock, or confusion. (e.g., "She was lost for words when she won the lottery.")
Speak for itself: To be clear or evident without needing explanation. (e.g., "The test results spoke for themselves - he had failed miserably.")
Explain it to a child: To simplify an explanation to make it easier to understand. (e.g., "Can you explain this concept to me like I'm a child?")
A picture is worth a thousand words: An image can be more effective than a long explanation. (e.g., "Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words - the photo showed the devastation caused by the hurricane.")
Posts Related to Explain
Source Information
Definition of explain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.