explanatory

adjective

ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ik-ˈspla-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce explanatory (audio)
Synonyms of explanatorynext
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
explanatorily adverb

Examples of explanatory in a Sentence

There are explanatory notes at the front of the book. the explanatory section has as its heading “What the New Tax Changes Mean”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. Adriana Morga, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026 Some have migrated to TikTok for explanatory videos about raw denim and rare Japanese denim brands by content creators like Alejandro Jomar and Drew Joiner. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026 Shaffer succeeds in this regard, but the wordy play grows cumbersome in its final explanatory stages. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 To more explicitly address his concerns about environmental degradation, Lambert attached an infographic and explanatory statement next to his work. Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explanatory

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of explanatory was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Explanatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explanatory. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

explanatory

adjective
ex·​plan·​a·​to·​ry ik-ˈsplan-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce explanatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
: serving to explain
explanatory notes
explanatorily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on explanatory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster