unexplanatory
|un-ex-plan-a-to-ry|
/ˌʌnɪkˈsplænətri/
not making something clear
Etymology
'unexplanatory' is formed in modern English by prefixing 'un-' to 'explanatory' (from 'explain' + '-atory'), where the prefix 'un-' means 'not'.
'explanatory' comes from the verb 'explain', which entered English via Old French (e.g. 'esplainier') from Latin 'explanare' (formed from 'ex-' + 'planare'), itself from 'planus' meaning 'flat' or 'level'; the sense shifted from 'make level/flat' to 'make plain/clear'.
Originally tied to the literal sense 'to make level or flat', the Latin root's meaning evolved to 'make plain or clear'; 'explanatory' developed to mean 'providing explanation', and 'unexplanatory' means 'not providing explanation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not serving to explain; failing to provide explanation or clarification.
The report was unexplanatory and left many questions unanswered.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/17 04:35