Basic Details
Word: Explanation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A statement or account that makes something clear or understandable.
Synonyms: Clarification, interpretation, description, elucidation
Antonyms: Confusion, obscurity, mystery, vagueness
Idioms and Phrases
- By way of explanation: Used when offering a reason for something. Example: "By way of explanation, he showed us the broken wires."
- No explanation needed: Used when something is obvious or understood. Example: "Her smile said it all - no explanation needed."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The teacher gave a clear explanation of the math problem.
Example 2: His explanation didn't make much sense to anyone.
Example 3: She wrote a long explanation to justify her actions.
Fun Fact
The word "explanation" comes from the Latin *explanare*, meaning "to make plain or flatten out." It originally referred to smoothing things out or making ideas easier to grasp.
Famous Quote
"The simplest explanation is most likely the right one." Occam's Razor
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "explanation" mean?
a) A punishment
b) A celebration
c) A statement that makes something clear
d) A type of food
Answer: c) A statement that makes something clear
2. Which of these is a synonym of "explanation"?
a) Confusion
b) Description
c) Silence
d) Argument
Answer: b) Description
3. Which is an antonym of "explanation"?
a) Clarification
b) Interpretation
c) Obscurity
d) Elucidation
Answer: c) Obscurity
4. Which sentence uses "explanation" correctly?
a) She made an explanation for the cake.
b) The explanation helped everyone understand the rule.
c) He explanation very fast.
d) We explanationed the story.
Answer: b) The explanation helped everyone understand the rule.
5. What does the idiom "no explanation needed" mean?
a) Something is too hard to explain
b) An explanation must be provided
c) The situation is obvious
d) No one cares about the reason
Answer: c) The situation is obvious
