explanation

explanation

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "explanation" is /ˌek.spləˈneɪ.ʃən/.

• ex: /ˌek/

• pla: /splə/

• na: /neɪ/

• tion: /ʃən/

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Word Form Variations

• Noun: explanation (singular), explanations (plural)

• Verb: explain (base form), explains (third person singular present), explained (past tense, past participle), explaining (present participle)

• Adjective: explanatory

• Adverb:explanatorily

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

Explanation

1. A statement, account, or set of reasons given to clarify something, make it understandable, or justify a belief or action.

• Synonyms: clarification, elucidation, exposition, rationale, interpretation, justification

• Antonyms: confusion, mystery, enigma, puzzle, obscurity

Verb

Explain

1. To make clear or understandable by describing in more detail, providing reasons, or showing the workings of something.

• Synonyms: clarify, elaborate, describe, demonstrate, illustrate, explicate, interpret

• Antonyms: confuse, obscure, muddle, complicate, mystify

Adjective

Explanatory

1. Serving to make something clear or to provide a reason for it; providing an explanation.

• Synonyms: clarifying, illustrative, informative, elucidative, explicative, interpretative

• Antonyms: confusing, vague, puzzling, uninformative, misleading

Adverb

Explanatorily

1. In a manner that explains or clarifies.

• Synonyms: illustratively, interpretively, elucidatively, informatively, descriptively

• Antonyms: ambiguously, obscurely, vaguely, confusingly

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Examples of Use

Books

• Non-fiction: In academic texts, authors often provide an "explanation" for theories or findings. For example, a geology textbook might offer an "explanation of plate tectonics" (Pearson, January 2021).

• Fiction: Characters in novels might seek or provide an "explanation" for a mysterious event. "She demanded an explanation for his sudden disappearance."

Newspapers

• News Articles: Journalists often present an "explanation" for complex situations. A financial report might include an "explanation for the recent market downturn" (The Wall Street Journal, February 2024).

• Editorials/Opinion Pieces: Columnists might offer their "explanation" for social trends or political outcomes.

Online Publications

• Blogs and Articles: Educational blogs frequently provide a simple "explanation" of scientific concepts. "This article offers a clear explanation of artificial intelligence" (TechCrunch, April 2023).

• Forums and Q&A Sites: Users on platforms like Stack Overflow or Reddit often post questions seeking an "explanation" for a technical issue or a general query. "I'm looking for an explanation of how blockchain technology works."

• Social Media: Content creators might provide a quick "explanation" for a trending topic or a DIY project.

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms

• Documentaries: A narrator might provide an "explanation" for historical events or scientific phenomena. For instance, a nature documentary could offer an "explanation of animal migration patterns."

• Podcasts: Informational podcasts frequently dedicate episodes to providing an in-depth "explanation" of various subjects. "This podcast gives a compelling explanation of the ancient Roman Empire."

• Video Games: In role-playing games, non-player characters (NPCs) might give the player an "explanation" of the game's lore or a quest's objectives.

• TV Shows: In a crime procedural, a detective might present an "explanation" for the killer's motive or the sequence of events. In a science fiction show, a scientist character might provide a technical "explanation" of a new device.

General Public Discourse

• Conversations: In everyday conversations, people frequently ask for or offer an "explanation." "Can you give me an explanation for why you were late?" or "His sudden outburst required an explanation."

• Presentations/Meetings: During a business meeting, a presenter might offer an "explanation" for project delays or budget overruns.

• Customer Service: Customer service representatives often provide an "explanation" for a product's features or a billing error.

• Education: Teachers provide "explanations" of concepts to students, and students are often asked to provide "explanations" for their answers.

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10 Quotes Using Explanation

1. "No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time." (Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

2. "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." (Thomas Aquinas)

3. "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." (C. S. Lewis)

4. "You don't get explanations in real life. You just get moments that are absolutely, utterly, inexplicably odd." (Neil Gaiman)

5. "The aim of science is to seek the simplest explanations of complex facts." (Bertrand Russell)

6. "It is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises—but only performance is reality." (Harold S. Geneen)

7. "Science is beautiful when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between different observations." (Stephen Hawking)

8. "However much I might try to expound or explain Love, when I come to Love itself, I am ashamed of my explanations... Love alone can explain the mysteries of love and lovers." (Rumi)

9. "The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology." (Red Auerbach)

10. "The Rose is without an explanation; She blooms, because She blooms." (Angelus Silesius)

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Etymology

The word "explanation" comes from the Latin verb "explanare," which means "to flatten out" or "to spread out." 📖 Imagine unrolling a scroll or unfolding a map – that's the core idea. Over time, this physical act of "spreading out" information evolved to mean "making clear" or "making understandable."

The first known use of "explanation" in English, with the meaning of "the act or process of explaining or making plain," dates back to the early 15th century. It began appearing in texts to describe the act of clarifying something that was previously obscure or complex, much like smoothing out wrinkles to reveal what's underneath.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Explanation

• Beyond explanation: Too complex or unusual to be accounted for. "The phenomenon was beyond explanation."

• For explanation: To provide clarification or reasons. "A diagram was included for explanation."

• Give an explanation: To provide details or reasons to clarify something. "Please give an explanation for your absence."

• In need of explanation: Requiring clarification or justification. "Her sudden departure was in need of explanation."

• Lack of explanation: The absence of clarity or reasons. "The report was criticized for its lack of explanation."

• No explanation: No reason or clarification offered. "He left with no explanation."

• Offer an explanation: To voluntarily provide reasons or clarity. "The CEO felt compelled to offer an explanation for the company's losses."

• On the explanation: Based on the provided reasons. "The decision was made on the explanation given."

• Without explanation: Done or occurring with no reason or clarification provided. "The lights went out without explanation."

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of explanation from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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