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Definition of explanatory

explanatory

/ɪkˈsplæn.əˌtɔːr.i/
ex · plan · a · to · ry
Adverb:explanatorily
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explanatory Lexical Profile

explanatory Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Serving or intended to explain, clarify, or provide information about how something works or why it happens.

Example

"The textbook includes brief explanatory notes in the margins to help students understand archaic vocabulary."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for explanatory

• Nearby Words

explainable
explainer
explanation
explanatory
expletive
explicable
explicably

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 17th century, formed from the Latin stem 'explanat-' (from 'explanare', meaning 'to make plain or clear') combined with the suffix '-ory'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Explanatory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/explanatory
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