explanatory

Explanatory is an adjective describing something that serves to explain or to make something clear. It is used to characterize statements, passages, or materials whose primary purpose is clarification, rather than argument or persuasion.

In education and editing, explanatory content includes explanations, notes, diagrams, and demonstrations that help a reader or learner understand a concept, process, or text. Explanatory notes appended to editions, articles, or data visualizations provide context, definitions, or methodological details.

In statistics and data analysis, explanatory variables (also called independent or predictor variables) are those used to explain or predict variation in a dependent variable. This usage underscores the variable’s role in accounting for observed outcomes rather than asserting a causal mechanism.

Explanatory writing, sometimes referred to as expository, aims to present information in a clear, logical sequence, often with definitions, examples, and procedures. Explanatory style can be contrasted with narratives that entertain or with persuasive texts that argue a point. The term derives from Latin explanare, to make plain or clear.