explain
US: /ɪksˈpɫeɪn/
UK: /ɛksplˈeɪn/
UK: /ɛksplˈeɪn/
English Vietnamese dictionary
explain /iks'plein/
- động từ
- giảng, giảng giải, giải nghĩa
- giải thích, thanh minh
- to explain one's attitude: thanh minh về thái độ của mình
- to explain away
- thanh minh (lời nói bất nhã...)
- giải thích làm cho hết sợ (ma...)
Advanced English dictionary
+ verb
1 ~ sth (to sb) to tell sb about sth in a way that makes it easy to understand: [VN] First, I'll explain the rules of the game. + It was difficult to explain the problem to beginners. + [V] 'Let me explain!' he added helpfully. + She explained to them what to do in an emergency. + [V that] I explained that an ambulance would be coming soon. + [V wh-] He explained who each person in the photo was. + Can you explain how the e-mail system works? + [V speech] 'It works like this,' she explained. [also VN that]
2 ~ sth (to sb) to give a reason, or be a reason, for sth: [V] She tried to explain but he wouldn't listen. + [V that] Alex explained that his car had broken down. + [V wh-] Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't phone. + [VN] Scientific findings that help explain the origins of the universe. + The government now has to explain its decision to the public. + (spoken) Oh well then, that explains it (= I understand now why sth happened).
Help Note: You cannot say 'explain me, him, her, etc.': Can you explain the situation to me? +
Idioms: explain yourself
1 to give sb reasons for your behaviour, especially when they are angry or upset because of it: I really don't see why I should have to explain myself to you.
2 to say what you mean in a clear way: Could you explain yourself a little more-I didn't understand.
Phrasal Verbs: explain sth<->away to give reasons why sth is not your fault or why sth is not important
WORD FAMILY
explain v.
explanation n.
explanatory adj.
explicable adj. (=/= inexplicable)
Thesaurus dictionary
v.
1 interpret, define, explicate, detail, delineate, make plain, simplify, spell out, resolve, get across, clarify, clear up, elucidate, illustrate, expound, describe, disclose, unfold, unravel, untangle:
The teacher explained the theory so that even I could understand it.
2 Also, explain away. justify, account for, excuse, rationalize, legitimate, legitimatize, extenuate, palliate:
You will be required to explain your absence.
Collocation dictionary
ADV.
in detail
I wrote explaining the issues in great detail.
| fully
The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained.
| adequately, properly, satisfactorily | partly
This partly explains why he was so late.
| briefly | easily, readily
This phenomenon can be easily explained.
| clearly | carefully | patiently
The doctor explained patiently what the treatment would be.
| earnestly | concisely, succinctly, tersely
The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely. ‘We've already paid,’ I explained tersely.
| awkwardly, lamely | breathlessly, excitedly
VERB + EXPLAIN
be able/unable to, can/could
I know I'm late, but I can explain why.
| attempt to, seek to, try to | help (to) | purport to
Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause.
| be difficult to, be hard to
It's difficult to explain exactly how the system works.
| hasten to
She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain.
| let sb
Let me explain what I mean.
PREP.
about
She tried to explain about her fears and anxieties.
| to
She explained the plan to me very carefully.
PHRASES
explain everything
I've got a letter here which explains everything.
| go a long way/some way towards explaining sth
This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups.
Concise English dictionary
explains|explained|explainingɪk'spleɪn
verb
+make plain and comprehensible
+define
+serve as a reason or cause or justification of
