Explicate
verb
To explain something clearly and in detail.
The professor explicated the complex theory to his students.
Often appears as...
- explicate a theory
- explicate an idea
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To unfold or open out something, to make it understandable.
The author's goal was to explicate the essence of human nature through his characters.
Often appears as...
- explicate a narrative
- explicate a plot
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
verb
To analyze in order to discover meaning or significance.
The historian explicated the social and political trends of the era.
Often appears as...
- explicate a text
- explicate trends
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To explain something clearly and in detail.
The professor explicated the complex theory to his students.
Often appears as...
- explicate a theory
- explicate an idea
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To unfold or open out something, to make it understandable.
The author's goal was to explicate the essence of human nature through his characters.
Often appears as...
- explicate a narrative
- explicate a plot
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
verb
To analyze in order to discover meaning or significance.
The historian explicated the social and political trends of the era.
Often appears as...
- explicate a text
- explicate trends
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3In Depth Explanation
Use 'explicate' when you're discussing intricate details of a subject.
To explicate the poem's symbolism, we'll examine each stanza closely.
Pro Tip 2/3Academic Context
It's often used in formal or academic contexts to suggest thorough analysis.
In her thesis, she explicates the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Simplicity
'Explicate' isn't suitable for simple explanations or everyday descriptions.
He didn't just summarize the chapter; he explicated each argument in detail.
Compare with
clarifyelucidateexplainillustrateinterpretmystifyspell outtangle
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Quote examples
Jhumpa Lahiri
American Author
In college, I used to underline sentences that struck me, that made me look up from the page. They were not necessarily the same sentences the professors pointed out, which would turn up for further explication on an exam. I noted them for their clarity, their rhythm, their beauty and their enchantment.
Quote examples
Claire Messud
American Novelist
I remember going to a son's friend's bar mitzvah, and the text that he chose to explicate was right at the beginning of Genesis. It was not about a fall from grace or a fall from perfection; it was about an awakening into consciousness, which is what it means to be human.
Quote examples
Steven Erikson
Canadian Novelist
Believe it or not, friendships are difficult to write in fiction. They can easily come across as forced, particularly if they involve too much explication and too many overt gestures of affection.
Quote examples
Bruno Dumont
French Director
Hollywood films are alienating to the spectator because they use too much dialogue, too much explication and leave no space for the viewer. They depress me.
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
I like explication of ideas, even if I'm wrong or even if it's a struggle or if it's a work in progress.
Quote examples
Jhumpa Lahiri
American Author
In college, I used to underline sentences that struck me, that made me look up from the page. They were not necessarily the same sentences the professors pointed out, which would turn up for further explication on an exam. I noted them for their clarity, their rhythm, their beauty and their enchantment.
Quote examples
Claire Messud
American Novelist
I remember going to a son's friend's bar mitzvah, and the text that he chose to explicate was right at the beginning of Genesis. It was not about a fall from grace or a fall from perfection; it was about an awakening into consciousness, which is what it means to be human.
Quote examples
Steven Erikson
Canadian Novelist
Believe it or not, friendships are difficult to write in fiction. They can easily come across as forced, particularly if they involve too much explication and too many overt gestures of affection.
Quote examples
Bruno Dumont
French Director
Hollywood films are alienating to the spectator because they use too much dialogue, too much explication and leave no space for the viewer. They depress me.
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
I like explication of ideas, even if I'm wrong or even if it's a struggle or if it's a work in progress.
Example 1 of 5
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