What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
explanation
Example
Can you give me an explanation for why the project is delayed? [explanation: noun]
Example
The teacher provided an explanation of the math problem to help the students understand. [explanation: noun]
explication
Example
The literary critic wrote an explication of the poem to uncover its hidden meanings. [explication: noun]
Example
The engineer provided an explication of the software's architecture to the development team. [explication: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Explanation is more commonly used in everyday language, while explication is more commonly used in academic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between explanation and explication?
Explication is more formal and academic than explanation, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
