Relate vs Explain: What's the Difference?

Quick Difference

Relate means (transitive) To tell in a descriptive way.. Explain means (transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of..

Relate Meaning

(transitive) To tell in a descriptive way.

Explain Meaning

(transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

Relate vs Explain Comparison Table

FeatureRelateExplain

Meaning(transitive) To tell in a descriptive way.(transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

Part of speechverbverb

ExampleThe captain related an old yarn.She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between relate and explain?

Relate means (transitive) To tell in a descriptive way., while explain means (transitive) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of..