explainer

[ ik-spley-ner ]

noun

1. a person, document, video, etc., that explains something (often used attributively):

   an explainer article that gives the reader background information about a news story.

Word History and Origins

Origin of explainer¹

First recorded in 1575–1600; explain ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The Onion’s make-believe owner, Bryce P. Tetraeder, Global Tetrahedron CEO, penned the explainer about why he chose to buy Jones’ reprehensible site.

From Los Angeles Times

“Casa Apocalyptica imagines our native ecology returning through the rubble after people are gone,’” the couple wrote in this year’s garden tour explainer.

From Los Angeles Times

Casual followers no longer needed an explainer on why there were multiple world champions, a lack of one single ranking system or the inner workings of four main governing bodies.

From BBC

As Brooklyn White-Grier wrote in a 2023 CNN explainer, “In the middle of the Black Power era and feeding from the civil rights movement, 'Soul Train' provided a fresh opportunity for Black people to see and celebrate themselves. It was the most prominent stage displaying the mingling of sociocultural and political progress — and an imagining of life unencumbered by white supremacy.”

From Salon

According to an explainer, patients may choose to take compensation as a lump sum or in instalments over five, 10 or 25 years, with future payments uprated in line with inflation.

From BBC

Related Words

• linguist