explains - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

explains

|ex/plain|

/ɪkˈspleɪn/

(explain)

make clear

Base Form	Plural	Present	Present	3rd Person Sing.	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past	Past Participle	Past Participle	Present Participle	Present Participle	Adjective	Adjective	Adverb
explain	explainers	explains	over-explains	explains	over-explains	explained	over-explained	explained	over-explained	explaining	over-explaining	explained	explanatory	explanatorily

Etymology

Etymology Information

'explain' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'explanare', where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'planare' meant 'to make level'.

Historical Evolution

'explain' changed from Latin 'explanare' and was influenced via Old French 'esplaner' and Middle English forms such as 'explaienen', eventually becoming the modern English word 'explain'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to make level or flatten', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make clear or understandable'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

third-person singular present tense of 'explain'.

She explains the situation clearly to new students.

Synonyms

clarifiesmakes clearinterpretsaccounts for

Antonyms

confuses obscures muddles

Verb 2

to make (something) clear by describing it in more detail or by revealing relevant facts or ideas.