Explained
ɪkˈspleɪnd
Definitions
To provide details or information about something to make it clear or understandable.
ɪkˈspleɪnd
To make something clear or understandable.
The doctor explained the diagnosis to the patient.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're teaching a friend a new game. To explain the rules, you tell them how it works, step by step, so they understand. That's what 'explained' means!
👶 For kids: When you tell someone how something works, you're explaining it!
More Examples
She explained the rules of the game before we started.
He explained the math problem step by step.
How It's Used
"The teacher explained the concept to the students."
"Scientists explained the phenomenon through rigorous experimentation."
"The lawyer explained the terms of the contract."
Idioms & expressions
explain away
To make excuses or find reasons for something that seems wrong or difficult to understand, especially to reduce the apparent fault or guilt.
"He tried to explain away his rude behavior by saying he was tired."
From Middle English *espleinen*, from Old French *esplaindre* ('to unfold, make clear'), from Latin *explanare* ('to make level, explain'), from *ex-* ('out, thoroughly') + *planus* ('flat, level').
The word has been used since the late 14th century, initially meaning to unfold or spread out.
Memory tip
Think of *plain* - to make something *plain* or clear to see.
Word Origin
"to make level, clarify"