explaining
ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of explaining - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

communicationthe act of making something clear or understandable
  • Explaining complex ideas takes patience and skill.
self-defeating self-inflicted self-sabotage

Adjective

1.
clarifyingmaking something clear or understandable
  • The explaining notes helped students understand the topic.
clarifying elucidating illuminating
2.
justifyingproviding reasons or justification
  • The explaining document outlined the reasons for the decision.
clarifying justifying
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Expressions with explaining

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require a detailed explanation because it is hard to understand
His sudden decision will take some explaining.
used to say a strange or bad situation needs reasons
You crashed the boss's car? That'll take some explaining.
easy to understand without needing explanation
The instructions were self-explaining and easy to follow.

Origin of explaining

Latin, explanare (make plain) + -ing (suffix)

Terms with explaining included in their meaning

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illustration
something illustrating or explaining a rule
responsibility
note explaining an absence from an obligation
guidance
help someone learn by showing or explaining
education
simple drawing explaining something
device guide
manual explaining how to use a device
construction
written or visual steps explaining how to put separate parts together
reasoning
explaining the basis for a decision or opinion
technical device
manual explaining how to use a device

Examples of explaining in a sentence

  • His calm explaining of the safety rules kept everyone focused.
  • The explaining diagram clarified the complex concept.
  • Her explaining gestures made the instructions easy to follow.
  • The explaining notes helped clarify the complex topic.
  • An explaining letter was sent to all employees.

View all translations of explaining

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:explication, explicatif, ...
  2. German:Erklären, erklärend, ...
  3. Italian:spiegazione, esplicativo, ...
  4. Spanish:explicación, explicativo, ...
  5. Portuguese:explicação, explicativo, ...
  6. Chinese:解释, 解释性的, ...
  7. Japanese:説明, 説明的な, ...
  8. Arabic:شَرْح, إِيضاحِيّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:הֶסְבֵּר, מַסְבִּיר, ...
  10. Russian:объяснение, разъясняющий, ...
  11. Ukrainian:пояснення, пояснювальний, ...
  12. Hindi:समझाना, स्पष्टीकरण, ...
explain
ɪkˈspleɪn

Definition of explain - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

tr./intr.
1.
clarifymake something clear or easy to understand
  • She explained the rules to the new players.
clarify elucidate
2.
justifygive reasons for actions or events
  • He explained why he was late to the meeting.
clarify elucidate justify
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Expressions with explain

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
offer excuses for bad conduct or mistakes
He explained away his lateness by blaming the bus schedule.
politely ask for clarification or more information
Please explain the steps to complete the task.
show someone how things work in a particular place
She explained the ropes to the interns on their first day.
explain something again for better understanding
She had to re-explain the concept to the students.

Origin of explain

Latin, explanare (to make plain)

Examples of explain in a sentence

  • The teacher explained the math problem thoroughly.
  • She had to explain her sudden departure.
  • The manager explained the decision to the team.

View all translations of explain

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:expliquer, justifier, ...
  2. German:erklären, begründen, ...
  3. Italian:spiegare, motivare, ...
  4. Spanish:explicar, justificar, ...
  5. Portuguese:explicar, justificar, ...
  6. Chinese:解释, 阐述, ...
  7. Japanese:説明する, 弁明する, ...
  8. Arabic:شَرَحَ, وَضَّحَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְהַסְבִּיר, ...
  10. Russian:объяснять, объяснить, ...
  11. Ukrainian:пояснити, пояснювати, ...
  12. Hindi:समझाना, विवरण देना, ...
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