Basic Details
Word: Explain
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it.
Synonyms: Clarify, describe, illustrate, interpret
Antonyms: Confuse, obscure, complicate, mislead
Idioms and Phrases
- Explain away: To make an excuse for something or justify it. Example: "He tried to explain away his absence by blaming the traffic."
- Explain oneself: To give reasons for one's behavior or actions. Example: "The manager asked her to explain herself after the missed deadline."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The teacher explained the math problem so that everyone could understand.
Example 2: Can you explain how this machine works?
Example 3: He explained the situation in detail during the meeting.
Fun Fact
The word "explain" comes from the Latin word "explanare," which means "to make level" or "to make plain." It originally implied flattening something out to make it easier to understand!
Famous Quote
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." Albert Einstein
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "explain" mean?
a) To hide something
b) To make something clear
c) To build something
d) To ignore something
Answer: b) To make something clear
2. Which of these is a synonym of "explain"?
a) Confuse
b) Clarify
c) Complicate
d) Mislead
Answer: b) Clarify
3. Which is an antonym of "explain"?
a) Describe
b) Illustrate
c) Confuse
d) Interpret
Answer: c) Confuse
4. Which sentence uses "explain" correctly?
a) He explained the homework clearly.
b) He explain his name is John.
c) I explain to be late.
d) Explain he the movie?
Answer: a) He explained the homework clearly.
5. What does the idiom "explain away" mean?
a) To remove something completely
b) To forget something
c) To make an excuse or justification
d) To describe something beautifully
Answer: c) To make an excuse or justification
