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Explain vs. Define — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 21, 2023
"Explain" means to make something clear or understandable, while "Define" means to state the exact meaning of a word or concept.
Explain vs. Define — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Explain and Define

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Key Differences

"Explain" often requires elaboration on a subject, offering details, examples, or reasons to clarify understanding. On the other hand, "Define" is about providing a concise, clear, and direct meaning or description, often limited to a word or phrase. Both are ways to clarify, but the methods differ.
When one asks you to "Explain" a concept, they are often looking for a breakdown or an in-depth understanding. In contrast, if someone asks you to "Define" a term, they want the core essence, its fundamental meaning. Both aim to inform, yet the depth and breadth of information differ.
Consider a challenging topic in science. If a student asks a teacher to "Explain" it, the teacher might provide examples, analogies, and step-by-step breakdowns. If the student asks the teacher to "Define" a specific term from that topic, the teacher will state its precise meaning.
In literature, if an author chooses to "Explain" a character's background, they may delve into a backstory, motivations, and relationships. But if they were to "Define" that character's role, they might just state it concisely, like "the antagonist" or "the hero."

Comparison Chart

Purpose

To make clear through details.
To state the exact meaning.
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Depth

In-depth, can be extensive.
Concise, to the point.

Examples Included?

Often includes examples.
Rarely includes examples.

Usage in Sentence

"Can you explain the process?"
"Can you define the term?"

Type of Information

Broad, comprehensive.
Specific, fundamental.

Compare with Definitions

Explain

To make clear or understandable.
She tried to explain the complex math problem to her peers.

Define

To describe the nature or basic qualities of something.
The constitution defines the rights of the citizens.

Explain

To interpret or translate something.
The interpreter explained the speaker's words to the audience.

Define

To specify distinctly.
The contract clearly defines the responsibilities of each party.

Explain

To offer reasons for actions or behaviors.
He explained why he arrived late to the meeting.

Define

To establish the limits or boundaries of something.
The river defines the border between the two countries.

Explain

Make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts
He explained the situation
‘It's a device of great age,’ the professor explained
They explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals

Define

State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
The contract will seek to define the client's obligations

Explain

To make plain or comprehensible.

Define

Mark out the boundary or limits of
The river defines the park's boundary

Explain

To define; expound
We explained our plan to the committee.

Define

To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).

Explain

To offer reasons for or a cause of; justify
Explain an error.

Define

To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.

Explain

To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself).

Define

To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.

Explain

To make something plain or comprehensible
Let me explain.

Define

To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.

Explain

To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
She is about to explain a chapter of the Bible to the Sunday School students.
She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.

Define

To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).

Explain

To give a valid excuse for past behavior.

Define

To make or write a definition.

Explain

(obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.

Define

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument

Explain

(obsolete) To unfold or make visible.

Define

(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.

Explain

(intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.

Define

To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.

Explain

To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand.
The horse-chestnut is . . . ready to explain its leaf.

Define

To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.

Explain

To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the Bible.
Commentators to explain the difficult passages to you.

Define

To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.

Explain

To give an explanation.

Define

To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property

Explain

Make palin and comprehensible;
He explained the laws of physics to his students

Define

(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.

Explain

Define;
The committe explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean

Define

(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

Explain

Serve as a reason or cause or justification of;
Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
Her recent divorce amy explain her reluctance to date again

Define

To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.

Explain

To provide a detailed account or description.
The scientist explained the steps of the experiment.

Define

To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.

Explain

To clarify doubts or misconceptions.
The teacher explained the difference between metaphors and similes.

Define

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.

Define

To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.

Define

To determine; to decide.

Define

Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'

Define

Determine the essential quality of

Define

Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?

Define

Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object

Define

To state the exact meaning of a word or phrase.
The dictionary defines benevolent as showing kindness or goodwill.

Define

To delineate the outline or form of something.
The artist used dark lines to define the shape.

Common Curiosities

Is Explain always longer than Define?

Not necessarily, but explanations tend to be more detailed.

Can I use Explain and Define interchangeably?

Not always. They serve different purposes in sentences.

Is Define always about words?

No, it can be about concepts, boundaries, or other entities.

When should I use Define in a sentence?

When you want to state the precise meaning or essence of something.

Is there overlap between Explain and Define?

Sometimes. A definition can be part of an explanation, but not vice versa.

What is the primary difference between Explain and Define?

"Explain" is about detailing and clarifying, while "Define" is about stating exact meaning.

Which one is more in-depth, Explain or Define?

"Explain" typically offers a more in-depth understanding.

Why is it important to differentiate between Explain and Define?

To ensure clarity and precision in communication.

When should I use Explain in a sentence?

When you want to clarify or provide details on a topic.

Which is more specific, Explain or Define?

"Define" is more specific as it gives exact meaning.

Does Explain require a topic or subject?

Generally, as something is being explained.

Are Explain and Define verbs?

Yes, both are action verbs in the English language.

Can a definition be an explanation?

Rarely, if the context requires a detailed definition.

Does Define always need a direct object?

Typically, yes, as something is being defined.

Can I ask for both an explanation and definition?

Yes, e.g., "Can you define this term and then explain its significance?"

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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