Explain and Outline

Explain

Explain verb - To make plain or understandable.

Outline and explain are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Outline" instead a verb "Explain".

Outline

Outline verb - To draw or make apparent the outline of.

Explain and outline are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Explain" instead a verb "Outline".

Nearby Words: outlined, outlining

Common collocations

relationship explain relationship outline relationship
plot explain plot outline plot
death explain death outline death
plan explain plan outline plan
Other words: many, difference, plans, rules, controls, origins, reasons, backstory, motivations.

Both words in one sentence

  • Exposition Diagram Exposition's here and he's about to give a quick introduction to the magic system, outline his plan to defeat the Big Bad and explain where those nasty beasties hail from.
  • Don't Explain the Joke: Whenever it comes up, they'll take time to outline where SMT memes come from.
Cite this Source
Outline and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 01, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/outline
Explain & Outline. N.p., 2016. Web. 01 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/outline>.
Outline or Explain. 2016. Accessed August 01, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/outline.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "outline" have occurred on timeline