explicable - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
explicable Word Meanings
- able to be explained
- capable of being clarified or understood
explicable Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
explicable Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪkˈsplɪkəbl/
US
/ɪkˈsplɪkəbl/
explicable Word Etymology
Root: 'ex-' (out) + 'plicare' (to fold). Origin: Latin 'explicabilis' → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine unfolding a complex map to reveal a clear path; 'explicable' means something that can be unfolded to make sense of it.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Explicable describes something that can be explained or made clear. It highlights that a phenomenon, fact, or result has a rational cause or logic that can be shown or demonstrated. In everyday use, you might say a mystery is not explicable, while a simple error may be explicable once you see the steps that led to it. The term tends to appear in analysis, reports, or scientific writing rather than casual speech, and it often pairs with explanations, evidence, or reasons. Remember that explicable emphasizes understandability rather than inevitability.
Usage Reminders
- - Explicable means it can be explained, not necessarily easy to explain.
- - Use with explanations or evidence to show the logic.
- - It tends to be more formal than everyday 'explainable'.
- - Pair explicable with a clear cause or reason.
- - Don’t confuse explicable with inevitable or mysterious.
Common Misconceptions
- It means easy to explain
- It is the opposite of inexplicable
- It can only describe people, not things
- It is the same as explainable
- Spelling is the same as 'explainable'
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: explicable is a formal alternative to explainable, often used in analysis and writing to stress understandability.
Learning Tips
- Compare explicable with explainable to feel the formality difference.
- Look for formal contexts like reports or analyses.
- Pair explicable with a clear cause or reason.
- Note that explicable emphasizes understandability, not inevitability.
- Practice with a scientific or data-driven sentence.
- Remember the spelling and avoid mixing with explainable.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'explicable'?
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'explicable' correctly?
A.The results of the experiment were explicable given the data.
B.His behavior was explicable by the weather changes.
C.The novel was explicable, but I still didn't like it.
D.The cake tasted explicable, though it looked beautiful.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'explicable'?
A.Understandable
B.Mysterious
C.Confusing
D.Obscure
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'explicable'?
A.Mysterious
B.Clear
C.Clear-cut
D.Plain
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where something is understandable based on certain factors?
A.The theory behind climate change is completely perplexing and beyond comprehension.
B.The child's sudden outburst was difficult to grasp without knowing his background.
C.Her decision to relocate was explicable when considering her job offer.
D.The instructions for assembling the furniture were clear, making the process straightforward.
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