explain

4 definitions • 18 examples

to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it:

If there's anything you don't understand, I'll be happy to explain.

explain something to someone The teacher explained the rules to the children.

[ + question word ] Our guide explained where the cathedral was.

He explained how the machine worked.

Please could you explain why you're so late.

[ + that ] She explained that she was going to stay with her sister.

[ + speech ] "Someone must have hit the wrong button," an official explained.

explain yourself Molly asked the teacher if she could explain herself a little more clearly (= say more clearly what she meant).

No one has been able to explain (= give the reason for) the accident.

to give reasons to defend your behaviour:

He hadn't been home for three days so I asked him to explain himself.

I'm not going to explain myself to someone who has never done a day's work in their life.

If they see this video, you'll be explaining yourself to a police officer in the very near future.

If they catch us in here, we're going to have a hard time explaining ourselves.

Why would you do such a thing? Go ahead - explain yourselves.

to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it:

[ I ] If there’s anything you don’t understand, I’ll be happy to explain.

[ T ] The teacher explained the procedure to the students.

[ + question word ] Bill explained how the program works.

To explain is also to give a reason for doing something:

[ + question word ] He couldn’t explain why he did it.