# elucidate

/ɪˈɫusəˌdeɪt/ (US) · /ɪlˈuːsɪdˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/elucidate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to explain or clarify

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

to make something clear by explaining it in detail.

For teachers: to make a concept or situation clear and understandable through detailed explanation or analysis.

- The teacher used a simple diagram to elucidate the difficult math problem.
- The recent discovery of these documents helps to elucidate the motivations behind the government's sudden policy shift in 1924.

Usage: This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, such as a point, a theory, or a mystery.

## Examples

- The professor will elucidate the main points of the theory.
- The researcher spent months collecting data to help elucidate the cause of the rare disease.
- While the initial report was dense with technical jargon, the follow-up document served to elucidate the findings for a broader audience of policymakers and educators.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.