explanatory
ɪkˈsplænətɔːri
Definition Synonyms

Definition of explanatory - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

purposeintended to provide an explanation
  • The explanatory report clarified the project's goals.
  • The manual included explanatory notes for beginners.
  • Explanatory diagrams were added to the textbook.
illustrative interpretative
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with explanatory

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
clear and easy to understand without explanation
The instructions were self-explanatory and easy to follow.
document that gives reasons and background for a plan or law
The minister released an explanatory memorandum with the new bill.
reference book with detailed word meanings
She consulted the explanatory dictionary for precise definitions.
short comment added to clarify or give more information about something
The editor added an explanatory note to define the technical term.

Origin of explanatory

Latin, explanare (to make plain)

Terms with explanatory included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
explanatory
providing a detailed account or picture
self-explanatory
nothing else is necessary because the point is clear
obviousness
the situation is obvious or self-explanatory
explanatory image
illustration or diagram that explains or shows
annotation
critical or explanatory comment in a text
cinema
explanatory text in silent films
language
explanatory note for difficult words
text explanation
add explanatory notes to a text

View all translations of explanatory

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:explicatif, ...
  2. German:erklärend, ...
  3. Italian:esplicativo, ...
  4. Spanish:explicativo, ...
  5. Portuguese:explicativo, ...
  6. Chinese:解释性的, ...
  7. Japanese:説明的な, ...
  8. Arabic:تفسيري, ...
  9. Hebrew:הַסְבָּרִי, ...
  10. Russian:объяснительный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:пояснювальний, ...
  12. Hindi:व्याख्यात्मक, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery