How to pronounce explain
Say it like ik-SPLAYN. Explain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPLAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce explain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SPLAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Explain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPLAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of explain
American and British speakers say explain in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈspleɪn/ in the US and /ɪkˈspleɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SPLAYN.
What does explain mean?
- make plain and comprehensible“He explained the laws of physics to his students”
- define“The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean”
- 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 may explain her reluctance to date again”
Where does explain come from?
From Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explanō (“to flatten, spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + planō (“to flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane.
Words that rhyme with explain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of explain.
Questions about saying explain
How do you pronounce explain?
Say ik-SPLAYN. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈspleɪn/. In British English it is /ɪkˈspleɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in explain?
Explain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPLAYN). Broken into parts: ik · SPLAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say explain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈspleɪn/ and the British form is /ɪkˈspleɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.