explicable

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/ɪkˈsplɪkəbəl/
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Able to be explained or understood through a reason, cause, or account that makes sense of the facts.

Examples

  • The court found the clause explicable when read with the rest of the contract.
  • The sudden drop in sales was explicable once the supply problem came to light.
  • His silence seemed strange, but it was explicable after the meeting notes were released.
  • A rare result can still be explicable if the method is sound.
  • The pattern is explicable by ordinary changes in temperature.

Similar words

resolvable
explainable
solvable
intelligible
comprehensible
understandable
accountable

Meanings

Usage

Use explicable in formal or careful prose when something has an explanation, especially after it first appears puzzling or unclear.

Common mistakes

Inexplicable reverses the meaning, and explicably is the adverb, not explicable.

Etymology

Borrowed from French and Latin roots, ultimately from Latin explicabilis, capable of being unraveled, from explicare, to unfold or explain.

FAQ

What does explicable mean?

Explicable means able to be explained or understood through a reason, cause, or account.

Is explicable the same as explainable?

Explicable and explainable are close synonyms, but explicable is more formal.

What is the opposite of explicable?

The usual opposite of explicable is inexplicable, meaning unable to be explained.

How is explicable used in a sentence?

A sentence can say, The error was explicable once the missing data was found.

Can explicable be used as an adverb?

Explicable is an adjective. The adverb is explicably.

Is explicable a formal word?

Explicable is often formal and fits academic, legal, scientific, or careful explanatory writing.

What is the origin of explicable?

Explicable comes from Latin explicabilis, tied to explicare, meaning to unfold or explain.

What are common synonyms for explicable?

Common synonyms include explainable, understandable, comprehensible, intelligible, and resolvable.

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