elucidation

UK: /ɪˌluːsɪˈdeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ɪˌlusɪˈdeɪʃən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

e•lu•ci•date /ɪˈlusɪˌdeɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -dat•ed, -dat•ing. 

1. to make clear or understandable, esp. by explaining:
   The teacher elucidated the difficult passages in the novel.

e•lu•ci•da•tion /ɪˌlusɪˈdeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

e•lu•ci•date  (i lo̅o̅′si dāt′), v., -dat•ed, -dat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to make lucid or clear;
   throw light upon;
   explain:
   an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

v.i. 

2. to provide clarification;
   explain.

• Late Latin ēlūcidātus (past participle of ēlūcidāre) enlightened, equivalent. to ē- e- + lūcid(us) lucid + -ātus -ate¹
• 1560–70

e•lu′ci•da′tion, n. 
e•lu′ci•da′tive, adj. 
e•lu′ci•da′tor, n. 
Synonyms

clarify. See explain.