Many English learners and even native speakers occasionally come across unusual or less commonly used words that prompt curiosity. One such word is explicable. It may not appear in everyday conversation as often as its more familiar counterpart, inexplicable, but it is indeed a valid word in the English language. Understanding what explicable” means, how it is used, and how it fits into English grammar can enrich your vocabulary and improve your writing precision, especially in academic or professional contexts.
Understanding the Word “Explicable”
Yes, “Explicable” Is a Word in English
To clarify right away yes,explicable is an official and legitimate word in English. It functions as an adjective and is used to describe something that can be explained, clarified, or accounted for in a logical manner. In contrast to inexplicable, which refers to something that defies understanding, explicable refers to something that makes sense or has a clear reason behind it.
Definition and Meaning
The word “explicable” means something that is capable of being explained or interpreted. It implies that there is a logical, rational, or understandable basis for an event, behavior, or phenomenon.
For example
- Her reaction was completely explicable given the situation.
- The changes in weather patterns are explicable through climate data.
In these examples, explicable helps describe things that have a clear cause or rationale.
Origin and Word Family
Etymology of “Explicable”
The term explicable comes from the Latin wordexplicabilis, which is derived from the verbexplicare, meaning “to unfold, explain, or make clear.” This root is also the source of the English verb “explain” and the noun “explication.”
Word Family and Related Forms
Explicable belongs to a family of related words, including
- Explain– the verb form
- Explanation– the noun form
- Explication– a more formal noun similar to explanation
- Inexplicable– the antonym, meaning not able to be explained
Understanding these connections helps with both vocabulary building and contextual usage.
Grammatical Role and Sentence Structure
Adjective Function
Explicable is used as an adjective, meaning it modifies a noun by describing it as understandable or explainable. It generally comes before the noun it modifies or after a linking verb.
Examples
- The delay was explicable due to the storm.
- There must be an explicable reason for his behavior.
Usage with Linking Verbs
When paired with linking verbs like is, was, or seems, explicable follows the verb to complete the sentence
- His sudden anger is explicable when you consider the pressure he’s under.
- The outcome seems explicable in light of the new evidence.
Examples of Usage in Context
Formal and Academic Writing
Explicable is more common in formal or academic writing than in casual conversation. It is often used in essays, reports, or analyses where clarity and rationale are being emphasized.
Examples
- The researcher found the results explicable through existing psychological theories.
- The policy shift was explicable within the framework of economic necessity.
Literary and Philosophical Usage
Writers and philosophers often use explicable when discussing concepts that require detailed analysis or interpretation.
Example
- While some aspects of human nature are explicable, others remain deeply mysterious.
Difference Between “Explicable” and Similar Words
Explicable vs. Understandable
Although explicable and understandable are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. Understandable refers more to the reaction of the observer, while explicable refers to the internal logic or reason of the subject.
Compare
- His fear was understandable. (I can relate to it.)
- His fear was explicable. (There’s a logical explanation for it.)
Explicable vs. Rational
Rational refers to something that is reasonable or based on logic. Explicable, however, emphasizes whether something can be explained, not whether it is inherently logical.
Example
- The decision was explicable, though not entirely rational.
Common Collocations with “Explicable”
Typical Phrases
Explicable is often paired with nouns that imply events, behaviors, or phenomena. Here are a few common collocations
- Explicable reason
- Explicable outcome
- Explicable behavior
- Explicable explanation (redundant but sometimes used for emphasis)
Modifiers and Degree
Writers sometimes use modifiers to describe the degree to which something is explicable
- Fully explicable
- Partially explicable
- Hardly explicable
Antonym Inexplicable
The Opposite Meaning
Inexplicable is far more common in everyday use. It means something that cannot be explained or understood. People often default to inexplicable when faced with something confusing or mysterious, even though its counterpart explicable is just as correct when the situation allows for explanation.
Compare
- His sudden disappearance was inexplicable. (No one could explain it.)
- His reappearance days later was explicable by his story. (Now there is a reason.)
Tips for Using “Explicable” in Writing
- Use “explicable” when you want to emphasize that there is a logical or understandable reason behind something.
- Avoid overusing it in casual writing or conversation it tends to sound formal or academic.
- Pair it with clear, rational subjects like behavior, events, results, or patterns.
- Know your audience. In simpler or informal settings, can be explained might be more accessible than explicable.
Explicable is definitely a word in English, and it plays a useful role in conveying clarity and understanding. As an adjective, it adds precision to statements that require a logical or rational explanation. Though less common than inexplicable, it is no less correct or meaningful. Whether used in formal writing, academic discussions, or descriptive analyses, explicable allows for expression of things that make sense or have a clear cause. Adding this word to your vocabulary not only expands your linguistic ability but also helps you convey complex thoughts in a refined and thoughtful way.