mansplaining

USAGE SUMMARY

"mansplaining" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation where a man explains something to a woman in a condescending or patronizing manner, often assuming she knows less. Example: "During the meeting, he started mansplaining the project details to her, despite her expertise." Alternative expressions include "condescending explanation" and "patronizing explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A final advantage of online lexicography is that over-hasty entries can easily be removed.Dig deeper: Johnson explains "mansplaining" (July 2014) Why Collins dictionary is choosing words through Twitter (May 2014) The etymology behind one slang word (Oct 2012).

The Economist

As usual, Oxford included buzzy internet- and youth-inflected coinages such as "neckbeard", "side boob" and "mansplaining".

The Economist

One objective I know a lot of my female friends would appreciate would be about not patronising women, or "mansplaining".

Independent

#Sherlock Viewers also noted that the climax saw Sherlock "mansplaining" feminism to a room of suffragettes.

Independent

It wasn't mansplaining feminism's roots, it wasn't a documentary.

Independent

You've probably had your fill of this old codger mansplaining your ears off about how things are way better now than they used to be.

The New Yorker

This remains a dominant pro-choice understanding of the abortion conflict — and not without reason, since it finds vindication to this day in the idiot "mansplaining" of amateur gynecologists like Todd Akin.

The New York Times

At the start of this column, I said there had been two recent stories about mansplaining.

The Guardian - Opinion

It made me feel sentimental to see "mansplaining" in the news again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea was "postmodern mumbo jumbo", she said, the ultimate example of "mansplaining" what it means to be a woman.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

pic.twitter.com/6u1aPoUJLq @MarthaPlimpton @spaceliontobi Between this + Matt Damon mansplaining diversity, it's been a banner weekend for Hollywood's elite Watching Matt Damon mansplain diversity to a black woman hurt my heart.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mansplaining" to specifically call out the act of a man condescendingly explaining something, especially to a woman, assuming her lack of knowledge. Be mindful of the context and ensure it accurately reflects this dynamic.

Common error

Avoid using "mansplaining" to describe any instance of explaining, especially between people of the same gender. The term carries a specific connotation of gender-based condescension.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mansplaining" is as a noun, referring to the act itself. It can also function as a verb, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "Sherlock 'mansplaining' feminism". It describes a specific type of condescending explanation, typically directed by a man towards a woman.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Opinion

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

2%

Tech

1%

Sport

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Mansplaining" is a commonly used term to describe the act of a man condescendingly explaining something, particularly to a woman, often assuming she has less knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While it effectively highlights gender-based condescension, it's crucial to use it accurately to avoid misattribution and to be mindful of its potential to oversimplify complex interactions. Alternative phrases like "condescending explanation" or "patronizing explanation" can be used depending on the nuances of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

condescending explanation

Focuses on the condescending nature of the explanation itself, without specifically attributing it to a man.

patronizing explanation

Highlights the patronizing tone of the explanation, again without specifying the gender of the speaker.

condescendingly explaining

Emphasizes the act of explaining in a condescending manner.

patronizingly explaining

Emphasizes the act of explaining in a patronizing manner.

explaining condescendingly

Describes the manner in which the explanation is given, highlighting the condescension.

explaining patronizingly

Describes the manner in which the explanation is given, highlighting the patronizing tone.

talking down to

Implies a general sense of condescension or superiority in the way someone speaks.

being condescending

Focuses on the person's overall behavior as condescending, not necessarily tied to an explanation.

assuming expertise

Highlights the assumption of superior knowledge that often underlies mansplaining.

overexplaining

Describes explaining something with excessive detail, often implying a lack of trust in the listener's understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "mansplaining" in a sentence?

You can use "mansplaining" to describe a situation where a man explains something to someone, typically a woman, in a condescending way, assuming they know less than he does. For example: "His constant "mansplaining" during the meeting was incredibly frustrating".

What's a good alternative to the word "mansplaining"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "condescending explanation", "patronizing explanation", or simply describe the act as "talking down to" someone.

What is the difference between "mansplaining" and simply explaining something?

"Mansplaining" specifically refers to explaining something in a condescending or patronizing manner, often by a man to a woman, based on the assumption that the woman has less knowledge or understanding of the topic. Simply explaining something is a neutral act of providing information.

Is "mansplaining" always intentional?

While the impact of "mansplaining" is often perceived as negative, the intention behind it may not always be malicious. Sometimes, it stems from unconscious biases or ingrained social patterns. However, regardless of intent, it's important to be aware of how one's explanations are received.