Kilo Lingo

/ɪkˈspleɪn/

New to these symbols? How to read English IPA
Line drawing of explain
Coloured illustration of explain
#541 of 3,000Core 1000

Meaning

To make something clear or easy to understand by giving more facts or reasons.

Test yourself on explain

Three quick questions. No account needed.

Know this word? Create a free account to track it.

Word origin

From Latin explanare, meaning to make flat or make plain, from planus, flat.

Origin
Latin
Root
explanare

Grammar

Verb typeregular (explain, explains, explained)

Examples

?

"Explain" means to make something clear.

.

"Explains" is the form used with he, she, or it.

.

"Explained" is the past form of "explain".

Where this fits

The 1,000 most common English words

Where this word sits in the core vocabulary, and what to learn around it.

English vocabulary by CEFR level

How many words each level actually needs, with real counts.

Used in

Stories

(5)

Add to review queue

Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.

Chapters 1 and 2 free

Meet this word in a story

Every course has graded stories written only with words you have been taught, plus grammar drills, a games arcade and printable worksheets. Chapters 1 and 2 are free.

Chapters 1 and 2 free, forever. Plus: 7 days free, then $5 a month for all eleven languages.

Start learning free

English · Free printables

explain: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the English word "explain" (To make something clear or easy to understand by giving more facts or reasons.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

Part of Kilo Lingo Plus

Printables beyond chapters 1 and 2 are part of Kilo Lingo Plus. Sign up free and start your free week to download as many as you like: no card.

Start your free week (no card)

This word is taught in chapter 6, lesson 4: explain, sick, voice and 7 more words.