different between explain vs assure

English

Etymology

From Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explan? (“I flatten, spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + plan? (“I flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane. Compare esplanade, splanade. Displaced Old English ?ere??an.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?sple?n/, /?k?sple?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n

Verb

explain (third-person singular simple present explains, present participle explaining, simple past and past participle explained)

1. To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
2. To give a valid excuse for past behavior.
3. (obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
4. (obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
   • April 14, 1684, John Evelyn, a letter sent to the Royal Society concerning the damage done to his gardens by the preceding winter

     The horse-chestnut is […] ready to explain its leaf.

5. (intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.

Synonyms

• (give a sufficiently detailed report): expound, elaborate, recce

Derived terms

• afore-explained
• explain away
• explainer
• mansplain
• please explain
• -splain

Related terms

• explanation
• explanatory

Translations

Further reading

• explain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• explain in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• explain at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology

From Old French asseurer (Modern French assurer), from Latin ad- + securus (“secure”). Cognate with Spanish asegurar. Doublet of assecure.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?????/, /?????/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?????/, /????/
• Homophone: ashore
• Rhymes: -??(?)

Verb

assure (third-person singular simple present assures, present participle assuring, simple past and past participle assured)

1. (transitive) To make sure and secure; ensure.
2. (transitive, followed by that or of) To give (someone) confidence in the trustworthiness of (something).

   I assure you that the program will work smoothly when we demonstrate it to the client.

   He assured of his commitment to her happiness.

3. (obsolete) To guarantee, promise (to do something).
   • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.ii:

     That as a law for euer should endure; / Which to obserue in word of knights they did assure.

4. (transitive) To reassure.

Related terms

• assurance
• reassure

Translations

See also

• ensure
• insure

Anagrams

• Sauers, Sauser

French

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -y?

Verb

assure

1. first-person singular present indicative of assurer
2. third-person singular present indicative of assurer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of assurer
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of assurer
5. second-person singular imperative of assurer

Anagrams

• ruasse, sueras, useras